Pogost, Arkhangelsk Province, Russia, December 12, 2023
Photo: vk.com
Tragedy struck the Holy Dormition-St. Alexander of Oshevensk Monastery on Saturday, as the holy habitation’s church went up in flames.
Abbot Theodosy wrote simply on the monastery’s Vkontakte social media page: “My dears! I ask for your prayers.”
The monastery, founded in 1460 by St. Alexander of Oshevensk, is situated in the Russian far north in the village of Pogost in the Arkhangelsk Province. The gate church dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, built in 1834 and recently restored, was destroyed in the fire. It was the monastery’s only functioning church. Abbot Theodosy and the brotherhood have been working to restore the rest of the monastery.
The fire was first noticed at around 9 AM on Saturday, and firefighters quickly arrived on the scene and managed to put out the fire within three hours, reports 29.ru.
A local resident reported that besides the St. Nicholas Church, the main monastery building also burned down.
Photo: vk.com
However, thankfully, there were no human casualties, and the prayer life of the monastery continues, with services in the trapeza. The brotherhood consists of two priests, one monk, one novice, and three laborers.
Fr. Theodosy wrote yesterday:
My dears. Brothers and sisters. Life carries on. The prayer life is ongoing in the monastery, and it will continue that way. The brethren warmly thank everyone who showed concerned for our trouble. We will survive, brothers and sisters, we will survive.
Despite the tragedy, the brethren remain faithful. Elsewhere, Fr. Theodosy wrote:
We have a tragedy, a common tragedy! Due to a furnace fire, our gate Church of St. Nicholas in the Oshevensk Monastery has burned down. In such difficult times, churches are burning! Apparently, the Lord is reminding us once again that only together are we strong! Let’s unite and help our monastery. Everyone’s participation is important! Whoever can contribute: with a kind word of support, prayer, or financial transfer. We can do it together!
Photo: oshevenskoe.ru
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