Perynsky Skete is a historical place on a beautiful island on the left bank of the Volkhov River, a few kilometers from Novgorod. It was used by ancient people, who set the pagan temple of the god of thunder Perun here in pagan times. Later, a Christian church was erected in its place and a monastic monastery was founded.
The history of the pagan sanctuary
The Perynsky Skete is located in Veliky Novgorod, on an island 400 × 200 m in size. After the construction of a dam on the river in the 1960s, the place became a peninsula. Historians suggest that pagan times in the tract Peryn now existing barrow was absent, because according to the rules the territory of the sanctuary from the burial place should be separated by water. However, chronicles from the late 900s mention the temple of Perun, the West Slavic god of thunder and lightning.
According to the chronicler in The Tale of Bygone Years, the sanctuary was divided into 3 round sites, each of which was surrounded by a moat. In the center of each stood a pillar and pits were dug. In the central circle (the largest) stood a tall pillar on which the head of Perun in a silver hat with a gilded mustache was carved. Around him were laid red stones. In other circles, idols were also supposedly standing. According to pagan beliefs, these idols demanded human sacrifices, which is confirmed by the information of historians, according to which it was established that the Varangian Christian was killed here by the pagans.
Parish christianity
In this turbulent time, Prince Kiev of Kiev, together with his uncle Dobrynya, set as their goal the subjugation of East Slavic lands to the capital of Kievan Rus. To do this, they sought to spread Christianity here.
In 989, the city of Veliky Novgorod was baptized with “fire and a sword” and was baptized by St. Joachim of Korsunyansky. After this, the temple was destroyed, and the statue of Perun was thrown into the river. In 995, a wooden church was built on this site, which stood for 200 years. Then the monastery was founded, which was then called Perunsky. In 1130, the church of the Perany monastery was built here in honor of the Nativity of the Virgin.
The documents indicate that in 1386 the Perynsky monastery was damaged during the arrival of the troops of Dmitry Donskoy, and in 1552 there was a fire. In the annals it is noted that by 1623 the only elder named Maxim lived in the monastery, who remained after the monastery and the temple were destroyed by Swedish troops.
In 1634, Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich decree ascribes the Perynsky Skete to the nearby Yuryev Monastery. In 1764 it was abolished, but after 60 years it is reborn again. During the existence of the monastery, its inhabitants always observed the charter of ancient monasteries. For example, women were allowed here only once a year - on the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin, celebrated on September 21.
Skete in the 20th century
In the Soviet years, the island remained ownerless, even during the years of the revolution warehouses for fishing artels were made here. During the Great Patriotic War, a front line passed along the island.
Then, in the post-war years, a camp site was built here, so many local residents began to come here for the purpose of outdoor recreation: they grilled kebabs, drank alcohol, etc.
Excavations on the island began in the 1930s, but the results were not discussed. The remains of the pagan temple, archaeologists discovered in 1952, during the expedition of Artsikhovsky.
In 1991, the peninsula with the temple and buildings was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, and in the late 1990s the monastery became part of the St. Yuryev Monastery. A restoration was carried out, after which the church was consecrated by the Archbishop of Novgorod and Starorussky Leo in 2001.
21st Century Monastery Renewal
During the years of perestroika, a chaotic felling of old pines began here, which was stopped only after public intervention. The status of this place has changed several times, and only since 2000 it was possible to put things in order here, when father Dmitry Baturo was appointed head of the Perynsky monastery (Veliky Novgorod).
First of all, the local monastery brothers began insistently and politely to drive out wild tourists and accustom them to observe the rules of the charter. Plates were installed in which it was forbidden to put up tents and make bonfires.
Regular services began to be held in the temple, and now pilgrims come here. This place is also visited by tourists arriving from nearby regions of Russia, from European cities.
Restoration of the facades of buildings and the church continues, the means of the monastery go to it. Many people provide help and reverence for this place.
Territory and buildings
The area of the Perynsky monastery is very small. At the entrance there are wooden low gates, which you can enter only by bowing and “reconciling pride”. Inside are several one-story buildings of red brick. There are cells of monks (there are only a few people) and guest rooms for visitors and pilgrims.
Around rise long old pines. On the territory of the forces of the brothers, under the supervision of Father Dmitry, a farm and gardens were arranged. Nearby lies Lake Ilmen, in which there are a lot of fish.
In the center of the monastery is a small snow-white church of the Nativity of the Virgin, crowned with a cross of an unusual shape. Inside, several old frescoes have been preserved.
Nature and wildlife
Skit Island is located in the northern part of Priilmenye, in the place where the Volkhov River flows from Lake Ilmen. Many waterfowl migrate here during certain months every year: gray herons, swans, etc.
The symbol of the Perynsky monastery in Veliky Novgorod is motley woodpeckers, who here easily find their food in the form of pine seeds.
The animal world is represented by foxes, hares, martens and moose, traces of which are clearly visible in the snow in winter. The island has fertile land, there are thickets of raspberries, bird cherry, nettle and celandine. Trees are mainly coniferous (larch, pine, fir), as well as wild apple trees and plums.
Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in Perynsky monastery
A small church with a bright gilded dome rises on a low hill of the island of Skeet. It is considered the smallest in Russia, the width of its walls is only 9.5 and 7.5 m on different sides. So, going inside, you need to go only 5-6 steps to the altar. The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin was built in the characteristic style of Novgorod architecture, i.e. has 3-lobed completion of facades (zakomarov). This constructive technique was applied by the builders of the Nereditsa church (1207) in Novgorod, and then here.
It is believed that the construction of a wooden church began 6 years after the baptism of Novgorod, it was laid by Archbishop Joachim of Korsunyansky. And only at the beginning of the 13th century. (presumably in 1226) the church was built of stone.
The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in the Perynsky monastery was originally considered a monastery. Its cubic shape, a high central arch (12 m) and lower lateral parts, as well as masonry stones indicate the pre-Mongol period. This form was characteristic of churches that began to be built as early as the 14th century.
The 4-pillar structure of the interior with a single apse and a low gently sloping dome, tapering up, help create the effect of upward aspiration. The building has 3 wide entrances (only one is now open), which, together with spaced dome pillars, help create the impression of a spacious and fairly tall building.
The cross above the dome in the shape of a crescent, which is also typical of the pre-Mongol period, its origin is taken from the "cross of the vine" (Christ considered his father to be a vine grower). Near the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, 3 brick buildings where hermit monks lived were built and have survived to our times.
Church Submission History
At the beginning of the 19th century. Catherine the Second issued a decree on the abolition of the monastery and the founding of the Perynsky monastery of Novgorod, which already belonged to the Yuryev monastery. This was due to the fact that the St. Yuryev Monastery was located nearby, and then, according to tradition, fasters and silent people went to the monastery.
In 1826, for them, on the instructions of Archimandrite Photius, small brick buildings with cells were built. Then pine trees were planted, which covered the monastery from the wind from the Yuryevskaya Sloboda. The church operated until the October Revolution, and then the Soviet authorities closed the monastery. At the same time, services in the church took place until 1920, while it was considered a parish, and only then it was closed.
The study of the church was begun in 1947. However, during the years of the USSR, the temple was closed, and a tourist base was located in the buildings. The restoration of the architectural monument took place in the 1960s. Then it took its original form, and after conducting excavations on the territory of the monastery, the history and appearance of the ancient temple were established.
Now the church is active and belongs to the Novgorod diocese, like the monastery.
How to get there
To get to the Perynsky monastery, you need to leave the city. From the Novgorod Kremlin, located in the center, you need to go along the street. Meretskova Volosova, then turn onto the street. Kaberova-Vlasyevskaya. Then you should turn onto the street. Orlovskaya and go to Yuryevskoe highway.
Following the road signs, go towards Yuryev. At the very beginning of the village on the right will be a exit to the monastery. This road will lead directly to the ancient gates of the monastery.
Also, buses No. 7 and 7a from Novgorod go here (Skit stop).
The working hours of the monastery for visitors: from 6.00 to 22.30 in the summer, throughout the year - in the daytime.