Solba, Yaroslavl Province, December 2, 2024
Photo: solba.ru
In December 1918, the St. Nicholas-Solba Convent in the Yaroslavl Province was closed by the Soviet authorities. In November 1999, the convent was reopened.
Over the ensuing decades, under the guidance of Abbess Erotida, the holy habitation has been beautifully rebuilt from a state of ruin.
On November 24, the 25th anniversary of this revival was festively celebrated, gathering numerous guests and pilgrims. The feast began with a solemn service in the monastery’s Holy Dormition Church, led by His Grace Bishop Theoktist of Pereslavl, with His Grace Bishop Theodosy of Isilkul and diocesan clergy, the monastery reports.
Services were simultaneously served in the Church of St. Spyridon and the Church of St. Nicholas.
After the Liturgy, Bp. Theoktist congratulated the abbess on the anniversary, wishing her strength to carry out her duties.
Photo: solba.ru
Following the services, the monastery hosted an international conference on decorative arts and crafts, along with an extensive exhibition-fair featuring various traditional Russian crafts including Bogorodsk toys, Rostov enamel, and Gzhel ceramics. The celebration concluded with a fashion show of handcrafted lace dresses and a theatrical performance by students of the Good School at Solba, which is operated by the monastery.
During the celebrations, Abbess Erotida received several high-level governmental and institutional recognitions. She was awarded honors from the Federation Council for her contributions to preserving folk arts and cultural traditions, as well as regional awards from the Yaroslavl Territory for her work in tourism development. She also received local honors from the city of Pereslavl-Zalessky and recognition from the Children’s Rights Commissioner of the Yaroslavl Region for her extensive work in protecting and supporting minors’ rights and interests. These awards reflect the monastery’s significant impact and recognition at various levels of government and society under her leadership.
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Photo: solba.ru
The St. Nicholas-Solba Monastery was established in the 16th century, likely as a dependency of Moscow’s Simonov Monastery. Initially a men’s monastery, it was destroyed by Polish forces during the Time of Troubles and restored a century later under Archimandrite Varlaam, who was Empress Catherine I’s spiritual advisor.
The first known leader was Hieromonk Serapion (from 1711), who built the monastery’s fence and began construction of the stone Dormition Church. In 1903, it was converted to a women’s monastery under Abbess Makaria, reaching its peak between 1904-1917 with 115 sisters. It was closed in 1918 during the Soviet period.
During WWII, the monastery served as a children’s home and later a psychiatric hospital. By 1994, when returned to the Orthodox Church, it was completely destroyed and desecrated.
Only the ruined Dormition Church and a small two-story building survived from the original monastery. The current architectural ensemble was created since 1999 under Abbess Erotida’s direction. The unique architecture of the new churches has attracted interest from architectural experts.
Several prominent church figures lived there, including Hieromonk Arkady (later Archbishop of Olonets) and Hieromonk Vladimir (future Archbishop of Tobolsk). St. Nicholas Ershov, who served there 1912-1918, was canonized in 2000 after his martyrdom in 1937.
The monastery’s main relic is an ancient icon of St. Nicholas with a particle of his relics. Other important items include St. Spyridon’s shoe, three reliquaries, and a holy spring known for healing properties.
In 1999, Abbess Erotiida arrived with three young sisters (ages 16-18) to find the monastery in complete ruins. Under her leadership, the monastery has been transformed with modern infrastructure (electricity, phone lines, internet, gas), ten churches, four chapels, living quarters, a children’s shelter, school, college, and craft workshops. Today it houses over 45 sisters and continues to develop various social projects.
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