Pilgrimage to the saint Antony caves, Chernigov
When you lost your path, get entangled with your wishes, goals and plans, you have to take a pause. If you need to think, looking for a good solution, change the usual rapid atmosphere of the huge-city and sink into the silent peaceful world of monastery.Unfortunately Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is overused yet. Crowds of vulgar noisy tourists wander the narrow trails and caves on its territory. They have no respect to the object of worship, girls dare to enter the temple in the short skirts with uncovered heads and men show their naked shoulders and legs in the summer and able even to smoke, shame and sorrow on them.
St Antony, teacher of monks, 1000 years ago had founded two the greatest cave monasteries in Ukraine, in Kiev on Pechersk and in Chernigov on Boldin Mountain. The second one is still remains in a shadow for tourists, although thousands of Christian Orthodox believers every year make a pilgrimage there.
Caves have always attracted people by its mystery. The Earth interiors were used from the ancient time for sacral activities. They usually contain heavy energetic accumulations and have often used for spiritual practice. In Christian traditions monks use caves for practice called Schema – the highest level of uniting with God and demising of world.
Schemonk (the monk who practices Schema) spends most of the time in the little camera in cave, praying to God and making special rituals. He may not eat or even drink anything for months or even years, staying substantial by the Holy Spirit. The obligatory monastic vows for Schemonk are chastity, immateriality, obedience and humility. Truly Schemonks are able to cure patients by the pray, to know the future and do other various miracles.Thanks to mobility the pilgrimage nowadays is not a big deal. 2 hours for 165 km of Ukrainian roads and from bustling, polluted Kiev and you are transferred to cosy, friendly Chernigov, one of our oldest cultural centres.
People don’t hurry up there, massive high blocks don’t press down on you towering above and lot of trees, park, gardens everywhere, even on the main square.
Travelling in Ukraine has a common trait - you can hardly meet the crowds of tourists and may walk alone in the most beautiful places. But there is a disadvantage that you are not able to find any service as well, neither guide-boards, nor maps for travellers.
After going round the city for half an hour finally the Boldin Mountain with st Antony’s caves were found. It was astonishing that territory of the monastery remains almost invisible. The only wood monument of an old monk points to its possible place.
Through the door in small stone building you fall into the underground temple, amazingly spacious and bright, alighted by the candles on the walls. From the temple you can get to the numerous tunnels of upper and lower levels of the caves. A general extent of the all passes is 350 m. An interesting fact that lower level of the caves have never mentioned in any written evidence, although examination approves their ancient origin. It testifies to their special secret purpose.
In many places you may see relics of Schemonks, who have practiced the Great Schema centuries ago. Usually visitors have feelings of fear, horror, pressure of the ceiling and the only one wish to leave the more quickly the better. I felt myself very comfortable. The presence of some pure light spirit has wrapped the mind around, giving the long-awaited peace. Unfortunately guardians didn’t let to stay there long and asked to leave everybody before the sunset.Satisfied and tired after wandering along the monastery and churches you may want to have a dinner in the Ukrainian restaurant. Don’t expect to find it Chernigov. The Potato House, Sushi bar and McDonalds are the only places where you can find warm food. Something wrong goes with traditional Ukrainian cuisine. I do not get why it is not popular any more.
Visit to Chernigov undoubtedly will remain the bright impression to any person who has faith in the heart and seeks Him.
Labels: Investigation
posted by Lamis @ 1/31/2007 05:03:00 pm
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