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.