The Talab (or Zalit) islands are located twenty-five kilometers west of Pskov. This is a group of three small islands. Often they are called Pskov Iceland. According to one of the legends, the archipelago got its name from the name of a fisherman from the Chud tribe - the first settler of Tal. Another version suggests that the name comes from the word "talo" (Finno-Ugric language), which translates as "house", "building".
Description of the archipelago
Talab islands are part of the same spit (Talabsk, Talabanets and Upper). During the years of Soviet power, the islands were renamed: Upper (the largest in area) was named Belova - the first commissioner to establish a new government. The island of Zalit became the former Talabsk. This island is known for having lived there for a long time, and now Archpriest Nikolai Guryanov is buried. Pilgrims are coming to worship his ashes. Belov Island is practically deserted. Only a temple and an abandoned fishing village remained on it.
Talab islands (Pskov region) are inhabited by a total of three hundred and fifty people. The total area of the archipelago is 1.54 square kilometers.
From the history of the islands
Researchers are confident that the Talab islands were inhabited in the 11th century. From time immemorial the islanders' sole occupation was fishing. The famous Pskov smelt (local fish) was sent to Moscow, Petersburg, Warsaw, Riga. It was dried in special ovens. On the islands there were more than a hundred. Each year they sold more than three hundred pounds of fish. This allowed local residents (and at that time more than five thousand people lived on the islands) living in these agriculturally scarce lands to live very prosperously.
There is confirmed evidence that the Talab islands (photo you can see below) gave the country many ship masters when creating the Russian flotilla of Peter I. The Talab islands (Pskov region) located on the northwestern borders of the Russian state were repeatedly attacked by neighbors who attempted to Russian lands.
Here the Pskov peasants took refuge with their property during the siege of Pskov by Stefan Batory (Polish king). During this period, Ivan the Terrible sent archers to the islands to enter Pskov captured by the Poles. The Talab islands were repeatedly destroyed. So, in 1703, the Swedes tried to conquer this territory. The invaders burned the Peter and Paul Monastery, located on the island of Upper. Fortunately, the monks were not affected in this case - they managed to leave along the underground passage located under the church, the exit from which was on Dosifeyeva Gorka.
Islands after the revolution
During the Civil War of the beginning of the XX century, a regiment was formed from the inhabitants of the islands, which numbered seven hundred thirty-two soldiers. By decision of the elders, he became part of the Yudenich army. In January 1920, the Northwest Army retreated to the border with Estonia. On Narva, the regiment that covered the withdrawal of the army was shot from two sides: from the left bank - with its allies (Estonians), and from the right - with the red units. Until spring, local residents found Talaban bodies frozen in ice.
In order to establish Soviet power, the Bolshevik government sent two commissars to the Talab Islands (Pskov Oblast): Comrade Belov and Comrade Zalit. History has not preserved information about the ways in which they subordinated freedom-loving fishermen, it is only known that the locals drowned two red commissars in Pskov Lake. Nevertheless, Soviet power was finally established on the islands, and it, in edification of the rebellious islanders, gave the names of the dead commissars to the islands. For unknown reasons, only the uninhabited tiny Talabenets retained their name.
Talab Islands Attractions
The largest island, Upper, is covered with dense forest. Fishermen hardly lived here, but wild and secluded places from ancient times attracted monks here. Rev. Dosipheus Verkhneostrovsky, a student of Rev. Euphrosynus of Pskov, a mentor of the Pskov desert-makers, in 1470 created a man’s monastery, consecrated in the name of Peter and Paul. According to historians, the brotherhood of the monastery was small, therefore, in 1584 it was ranked as the Pskov-Pechersky monastery.
The monastery was damaged in 1703 during an attack by the Swedes, but it did not last long in the ruins: seven years later (in 1710), the hieromonk of the Pskov-Pechersky monastery completely restored it. During the reign of Catherine the Great (1764), the monastery was abolished, the temple turned into a parish church. In the dungeon, under the altar, lie the holy relics of Diosytheus, the founder of the monastery.
The temple is quite strong, made of stone. Nevertheless, time did not spare him: today he needs a complete overhaul. Today, services are held in the temple. Father Sergius, the priest of the church, has been serving here since 2000, with the blessing of the famous old man Nikolai Guryanov. He has a very small parish - only thirty-eight families live on the island, but Father Sergius very much hopes that with God's help he will be able to restore the monastery and repair the temple.
Of course, this requires money, and considerable, but donations from the Orthodox come constantly. It is no secret that the restoration of the temple changes the atmosphere of the island, fills its air with grace that everyone who has visited these Pskov lands can feel. Many tourists note that today the Upper Island is more like a fantastic alien world than a protected corner. A church built of limestone rocks, an old fishing village, black and yellow sand with old fishing boats leave a feeling of unreality.
Island of love and faith
The Talab islands have their own spiritual center - the island of Talabsk with its St. Nicholas Church in the name of Nicholas the Wonderworker. It was first mentioned in 1585 in scribe books. The first temple was built of wood by local fishermen. After the attack of the Swedish army in 1703, when the Verkhneostrovsky monastery was damaged, the Nikolsky church was also destroyed.
He became stone in 1792. The temple was traditionally built from the Pskov limestone slab. And today unique murals are kept here. The current chapel, consecrated in honor of the icon of Hodegetria Smolenskaya, was erected in 1793, in memory of the miraculous deliverance from the terrible epidemic of cholera that engulfed local residents. In 1939 the temple was closed. His rebirth dates back to 1947. True, divine services are held only in the Smolensk chapel. The rector of the church for a long forty-four years was Father Nikolai.
Holy elder
In 1909, in the village of Chudskie Zakhody, located in the St. Petersburg province, a boy, Nikolai Guryanov, was born in the merchantly pious. In the twenties, their parish was visited by the Metropolitan of Gdovsk and Petrograd Benjamin (today recognized as a holy martyr). The beginning of the service of Father Nicholas coincided with the first years of World War II.
In early February 1942 he received the rank of deacon, and in mid-February he became a priest. Father Nikolai served the first liturgy on the island of Talabsk, in the St. Nicholas Church, on the Feast of the Intercession in 1958. The well-known seer, the old man of a bright spirit, to whom people from all over the country went for spiritual strengthening and support, Nikolai Guryanov was counted as a saint during his lifetime.
Predictions
The recluse Nicholas at one time predicted the salvation of Russia from the power of the Communists, the collapse of the Kursk and Komsomolets nuclear boats, and the canonization of the tsar. Legends were made about this man on the island. The old man could find missing people from a photograph, healed sick people who were abandoned by traditional medicine, saved those who were asking for misfortunes, and rescued hostages from captivity.
In August 2002, Nikolai’s father died. An adviser and a comforter passed away, but the Orthodox go to the island to bow to his grave, light a candle in front of the Icon of the Mother of God, pray, gain spiritual strength, strengthen their faith and love.
Island of peace
The smallest in the archipelago is the island of Talabenets. It is distinguished by deserts and silence. But, according to tourists and pilgrims, it is here, on a rocky shore, when looking at Lake Pskov, at the low gray sky above it, the simple and discreet beauty of this land opens.
Excursions
Today, many Orthodox and ordinary tourists want to see the Talab Islands. An excursion to these sacred places is organized from Moscow and Pskov. From the capital, the tour is designed for five days. Travelers go on a trip by evening train number 10A Moscow - Pskov, which leaves at 20.23 from the Leningrad station. He arrives in Pskov at 8.30.
First, guests will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Pskov. The tour program includes a visit to the Trigorskoye (or Petrovskoye) estate, Mikhailovskoye, a walk around the reserve, a visit to the Svyatogorsky monastery, and other attractions.
Talab islands: how to get there?
More recently, the "Rocket" went to the Talab Islands from Pskov. But for unknown reasons, the flight was canceled. Now it’s not easy to get to the islands, but despite this, people come here all the time: someone wants to relax from the bustle of the city and breathe fresh air, someone wants to strengthen their spirit, learn patience and love, fully feel the grace of faith, which sometimes all of us so lack.
From Pskov you should go along the P60 highway to the turn with the sign “Tolby”. Take the asphalt road, go to its end. You will find yourself in a village. Leave the car at the pier. A private cab boat will deliver you to the islands. Many locals make money this way. In addition, a municipal boat “Talabsk”, which regularly runs from the pier located at the end of the village, is at guests' disposal.