The history of the monastery

From the entire temple architecture complex only the St. John the Theologian Cathedral and bell tower was kept intact to our time. The churches of the Archangel Michael and the Mother of God Apparition and walls with towels – all these buildings were restored from the drawings, photos, archeological digs, archive documents found by specialists of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Mordovia.
In 1941 the government of Mordovia wanted to dislocate a rifle regiment at the monastery territory, then – evacuee garment factory and later - industrial complex. In 1946 the St John the Theologian temple was given back to the believers, but in 1961 the temple was closed again. Since 1969 long lasting restoration workings began in the village Macarovka. They lasted to the middle of 80s. in 1987 the inhabitants of Macarovka, with the help of believers from the villages Lukhovka, Kulikovka and Soldatovskoe and after the request of Holy Patriarch Pimen (1990) got back the St John the Theologian temple and bell tower and began carrying out public worships. The archpriest Georgiy Sakovich had been appointed superior of the St John the Theologian temple. In 1991 Znamenskaya church was given back to the newly established Saransk eparchy and in 1996 the Archangel Michael church was given back too. The reconstructed house of landowners Polyanskiy family was convert into Archbishop summer residence. Thus, within 10 years the monastery and its territory passed to its real owner – to the Orthodox believers.

Varsanophiy, The Archbishop of Saransk and Mordovia

In 1994 there was turned a new page of the long history of Macarovskiy pogost. After the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexiy II blessing and on the decision of His Eminence Varsonofiy – the Archbishop Saranskiy and Mordovskiy in Macarov, St. John Theologian Macarovskiy Monastery was opened.

The Protoiereus Maxim Chebotarev (monastic name – Vladimir) became the Father monastic superior of the cloister. Several hard years of formation passed and since January 2001 the monastery was headed by hegumen Lazar, as archimandrite Vladimir was taken seriously ill. Hegumen Lazar (Gurkin) was known in Mordovia for reconstruction of famous Chufarovskiy monastery. Within a year the experienced hieromonachs of different ages wishing to serve to God had been gathering around hegumen Lazar. They came from several monasteries of Mordovia.

On August, 3 2000 His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexiy II visited Macarovskiy monastery within the bounds of his visit to Mordovia. He looked over the complex of temples and gave his Primatial blessing to the brethren from the amvon in response to the welcoming speech of the Father monastic superior Archimandrite Vladimir (Chebotarev), then His Holiness the authorities of Mordovia took part in the reception in the residence of Archbishop Varsonofiy.

The main event in monastery’s life happened after the visit of His Holiness. It was the dedication of the Archangel Mikhail winter church on November, 21 2002. The temple, left by the museum workers in an awful state, was restored in a year with the financial support of benefactors (let God enter their names in the Book of Life). A special gladness for the brethren and local inhabitants turned to be that the temple was given back to the Church on its 300 years anniversary. Now services are carried out there daily.

The brethren housing buildings.

In 2002 there was drafted the plan of full monastery complex with refectory, hegumen and administration buildings. The erection of the well-equipped two-stored brethren housing complex was finished to the autumn of 2003; the territory of the monastery was surrounded with high stone wall, besides the dome and upper part of St. John Theologian temple was also restored.

The monastery refectory

Within summer of 2004 with the pains of Archbp. Varsonofiy and with the financial help of the Government of the Republic of Mordovia and its head N.I. Merkushin the temple fronts were restored and roofing on the territory of the monastery’s temple complex was changed as well. All inside finishing works in the temple of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Holy Sign” will be completed to the autumn of 2004. In 2006 the monastery brethren plans to build a pilgrims hotel.

The distinguishing feature of our monastery is a strict follow to the patronal rule at public worships. The monastery priests carry out all sacraments necessary for local people properly and in accordance with the Rule. And their pastor word helps all people wishing to find solutions of their spiritual life problems. On Sunday mornings they serve a public prayer with akathistos and blessing of water in the face of the Mother of God icon “The Inexhaustible Cup”. This public prayer is about people suffering from drunkenness and drug addiction.

The hegumen Theophanes (Dankov), having taken vows of great schema.

This time the monastery brethren consists of 20 people and a few novices have been passing through the probation. Besides hegumen Lasar, another well-known brother in the monastery is Archimandrite Pitirim (Pereghudov), having taken vows of great schema. This the strict monastery Elder is the foster child of the Holy Dormition Lavra of Pochayevsk. The hegumen Theophanes (Dankov), having taken vows of great schema too, and he is the Spiritual Father of the monastery.

The deed he carries out is spiritual feeding of the brethren and numerous pilgrims coming to him from all over Russia.

As the monastery life develops, the St. John the Theologian Monastery of Macarovka, being under heaven protection of Apostle St. John the Theologian, with the help of God will play more and more important role in spiritual life if the capitol of Mordovia, and especially in the field of missionary and enlightener anti-sect activity.