The Solovki Islands clustered within the White Sea not far from the Artic Circle have been home to monastic prayer since 1429, when monks Herman and Savvatius arrived from the St. Cyril of White Lake Monastery to live the anchoretic life. Solovki Monastery was soon founded in 1436 by Monk Zosima, who became its first abbot. Since then the islands of Solovki have played a vast historic role in Russian national life.
In honor of these three saints of Solovki whom we celebrate today, we are revisiting selections from an amazing photo exhibit displayed in November of 2010 in the Christ the Savior Cathedral: "Solovki: Golgotha and Resurrection", dedicated to the twentieth anniversary of the renewal of monastic life at Solovki. The exhibition showed the history of Solovki Monastery from its height spanning the sixteenth through nineteenth centuries to the time of its discretion in the twentieth century, when it was turned into a concentration camp.
Here are photos by a participant in the exhibit, Sergei Veretennikov, showing the northern splendor of Solovki.
Sunrise.
Anzer Island in autumn.
Feast of the Ascenson, Liturgy in the Ascension Church on Sekira Hill.
The Church of St. Andrew the Apostle on Greater Rabbit Island,
In the fog.
Cross on Cape Kenga.
Veneration cross.
White night.
Archimandrite Porphiry, abbot of Solovki Monastery.
Church of St. Herman of Solovki.
Awaiting the coming City.
First rays.
Kuzova.
Red dawn.
Workers' island.
Panorama of Solovki Monastery
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The Church of St. Andrew the First Called, on Large Rabbit Island.
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Patriarchal Service at the relics of Saints Zosima, Sabbatius, and Herman of Solovki.
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Patriarch Kirill with the brothers of the Golgotha-Crucifixion Skete.
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Liturgy in the Church of St. Andrew.
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The "Jordan," where the brothers immerse themselves on Theophany.
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Bells in winter.
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Winter.
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Cross procession with a blessing of the waters on the feast of Theophany.
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A veneration cross by a spring on Anzer Island.
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The procession with the Panagia, from church to refectory.
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Father and son.
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Waiting with flowers for the Patriarch.
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Cross-bearer.
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Golgotha hill.
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On Sekira hill in winter.
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Solovki silhouette.
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Pentecost.
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Looking at the pictures I felt as if I am visiting a holy place. I cried with Joy!!!!
The ancient monks went into the deserts to expel the demons from the wastelands, the air, and the depths of the earth. The workers of evil fought back but did not conquer.
There can be no question that the return of angelic habits to Solovki will give rest to the souls tortured there by the godless: joy in place of sorrow.