Convent of St. Paraskeva, which is located in the village. Topolevka is one of the most unusual places in Crimea. The abode is located in a picturesque place on a mountain elevation, which gives space for contemplation of the beauties of nature and encourages spiritual reflection. In this article we will tell you the basic information from this monastery.
СОДЕРЖАНИЕ:
1. General information
2. Where is the monastery?
3. Toplovsky convent and its history
4. What is interesting about the Holy Paraskevian Monastery?
5. How to get to the monastery?
6. Tourist notes
General information
Village - Topolevka
Confession - Orthodoxy
Diocese - Simferopol
Foundation date - August 25, 1864
Buildings - Temple of St. Paraskeva; Temple "Joy of All Who Sorrow"
Relics and Shrines - The relics of the Monk Fathers of the Caves.
Sources - Saint Paraskeva, Great Martyr George, Three Saints
Abbot - Abbess Paraskeva
Status - active
Being among relict trees, immersed in the atmosphere of fresh air and mountainous expanse, the monastery seems to be a lost Paradise, a wonderful place from which Adam and Eve were expelled. Therefore, it is not surprising that thousands of pilgrims and tourists, believers and secular people strive to visit the monastery. Many here found joy and consolation in their sorrows, many enjoyed the silence, clean air and coolness, many enjoyed beautiful views from the mountain.
Where is the monastery?
The monastery is located in the protected area of Crimea, not far from Belogorsk, if you go along the Simferopol highway towards Feodosia. There you will meet the village of Topolevka near the Karatau mountain.
Church tradition asserts that Saint Paraskeva was martyred in these parts. This legend can neither be confirmed nor refuted on the basis of the available historical and archaeological data. One thing is certain - since the 16th century many churches - Greek and Armenian, dedicated to the holy Great Martyr Paraskeva were known in these parts. This is a direct confirmation of the existence of the Paraskeva cult in these places and an indirect confirmation of the connection of these places with the name of the great martyr.
Toplovsky nunnery and its history
Before Crimea was annexed to the Russian Empire, an icon of the Great Martyr Paraskeva was found near the water source where the monastery is located in our time. Later this icon came to Mariupol and became famous there for the miracle of ridding the city of cholera. In the second half of the 19th century, an ascetic appeared near the source - a girl named Constantine, a Bulgarian. She lived for seven years at the spring in a cave, praying for the salvation of her soul. Constantine's desire was to organize a nunnery in this area.
The hermit was actively collecting donations from the people and in 1863 she was able to build a small temple-chapel near the source. So, the Toplovsky monastery found its existence.
Father Parfeni, abbot and founder of the Kiziltash monastery, spiritually took care of the female monastic community. His Eminence Alexy, Archbishop of Tauride, in every possible way contributed to the construction of the convent, sent a petition to the Synod with a request to bless the opening of the monastery.
They were able to raise funds quickly, and already in 1864 the archbishop consecrated the church of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva. Abbot Parthenius became the abbot of the monastery. Through the labors of the dean of M. Apollinaria, the monastery expanded its possessions and acquired outbuildings. The monastery acquired its real beauty under the abbess of M. Paraskeva. Under her, the monastery of St. Paraskeva became the spiritual pearl of the Crimea.
The revolution and the Soviet regime made radical changes in the life of the convent. Having expropriated the monastery lands, the Bolsheviks put the monastery on the brink of survival. The monastery quickly became impoverished and practically ruined. Later, there was a campaign to confiscate church values - the monastery was deprived of precious liturgical utensils. In 1928, as a result of another anti-church campaign, the monastery was liquidated, the nuns were dispersed, many monastery buildings were blown up.
The remaining buildings were adapted for various economic and social needs. During Soviet times, the territory of the former monastery was used for the needs of the state farm, then for the pioneer camp. Only in 1994, after the fall of the Soviet regime, the monastery began to be restored. The newly created monastic community was allocated land and returned to the church utensils and relics. It is symbolic that in 1998 Abbess Paraskeva became the abbess of the monastery.
What is interesting about the Holy Paraskevi monastery?
First of all, the Toplovsky Monastery is known for its shrines - temples and religious relics collected in them.
A small squat St. Paraskevinsky church and a large cathedral church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow".
The grave of the pre-revolutionary abbess Paraskeva and the chapel next to it are mandatory for pilgrims.
In the churches, you can honor the holy remains of the Kiev-Pechersk saints, the relics of the saints Great Martyr Panteleimon and Great Martyr Paraskeva. There is a revered list of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.
Many pilgrims and tourists visit the monastery's holy springs. The springs of St. Paraskeva, the holy Great Martyr George and the Three Hierarchs - Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom are highly revered. Many believers consider it their duty to visit the cave of nun Constantine.
How to get to the monastery?
The route to the monastery is very simple - you need to get to the Topolevka stop, while you can get to this station by shuttle bus, both from the Simferopol side and from the Feodosia side. The further road will be indicated by numerous signs.
Tourist notes
- Адрес: село Учебное, Белогорский район, Крым, Россия.
- Координаты: 44°59′58″N (44.999358), 34°52′48″E (34.880041).
- Телефоны: +7 (978) 894-35-77, +7 (978) 746-09-68.
- Официальный сайт: http://www.toplovskyi.ru
The Women's St. Paraskevinsky Monastery enjoys well-deserved popularity and love among pilgrims and tourists. Many thousands visit this monastery and admire the Orthodox shrines, views of the monastery and wonderful nature. Here is a short video about the monastery.
Для комфортного междугороднего трансфера с гидом по Крыму воспользуйтесь нашим предложением – введите в диалоговом окне ОТКУДА вас нужно забрать и КУДА доставить, впишите НОМЕР телефона и нажмите кнопку ЗАКАЗАТЬ. Мы обязательно свяжемся с вами и организуем самый удобный для вас трансфер. Наш гид не только расскажет вам о достопримечательностях, но и произведет фото- и видеосъёмку с дрона. Вы сохраните чудесные впечатления о Крыме навсегда!
