Village Surucheny, Piously-Georgievsky monastery. On the bank of lake, in the middle of wood the Piously-Georgievsky Suruchensky female monastery has settled down. Once, on an outcome of XVIII century it is a place has attracted to celibate priest Joseph. He has considered its approaching for long meditations and prays, has based here a man's monastery. Local boyar Kasian Suruchanu has offered to a monastery the earth but by which that has been constructed, yes has helped aged men to construct Piously-Georgievsky church and five houses. The monastery on the sly rose on feet, the economy was got. Monks bore obedience, diligently prayed and piously observed the Law Divine. Perhaps for this reason have been rewarded: after death of boyar Kasiana, his sons have offered to a monastery even more 400 hectare of the earth. The number of inhabitants of a monastery has increased also. Local peasants have got used to seek consolation, council and blessing at sacred brotherhood. Meanwhile, the life flew the turn, slowly replaced each other year. In a monastery one more church - sacred Nikolay has been constructed, and on holidays people with all округи here gathered - very much church church chanting in execution of chorus of sacred brothers beautifully sounded, and the bell ringing fascinated even the most indifferent - a merit of talented bell ringers.
At the beginning of the XX-th century one more name has become history of a monastery - a name of archimandrite Dionisija (Ерхан). Fulfilling duties of the house-keeper of a monastery, archimandrite Dionisy very seriously concerned material welfare of a monastery. It has built round a monastery a stone fencing, трапезную, the house with ten monastic cells. After a while it has been appointed by the prior of the Suruchensky monastery. Understanding importance of a moral condition of sacred brothers, archimandrite Dionisy realised, that it is necessary to develop and an economy. Vineyards have been as a result broken, the house for the prior and a wine cellar is constructed, both temples are repaired. On the personal means the archimandrite opens in village school for country children. Under the offer of the archimandrite the monastery is transformed to a monastery. There was this event in 1909 - on peak of well-being of a sacred monastery. Archimandrite Dionisy becomes викарным a bishop Kishinev архиепископии. Ashes of the archimandrite are based in a monastery.
But, as they say, nothing is eternal - the prosperity period has ended also. And not gradually, and at once, in exact day and hour. On July, 3rd, 1959 became fatal day for four Moldavian monasteries - Suruchensky, Hirovsky, Varzareshtsky and Tsyganeshtsky. Some monks have been settled on other monasteries, the part «is employed in local collective farms and state farms» as it was spoken in the report of Council about affairs of Russian orthodox church in the Central Committee of the CPSU and Ministerial council of the USSR.
As a result a monastic complex have transformed into a narcological clinic of the closed type of a strict mode. Protection, a barbed wire, a corresponding contingent. As a matter of fact, it is not necessary to strain especially imagination to present, that became with internal furniture of temples, cells and a monastic cemetery. In sacred Nikolay's summer temple the club has been opened. Sacred faces were closed by a thick paint coat, on walls there were images of collective farmers, workers and leaders together with slogans and appeals to work and world peace. For 33 years a monastery had time to result in terrifying condition.
Only in 1992 the ancient monastery has revived, the truth already as a female monastery. The present Metropolitan Kishinev and всея Moldova Vladimir much promoted it. In 1998 in a monastery the seminary-lycée for girls is opened. Pupils of seminary within 3 years get pedagogical or theological education. At lycée there is a rich library, and practice of the girl pass at a monastery.
Is now in the Suruchensky female monastery and the relic. In 2000 here from Valaam have brought a particle of hallows of a sacred Antipas Kalopodeshtsky. On folk beliefs, the touch to a cancer with hallows promotes healing of patients. By the way, the sacred Antipas comes from territory of Moldova, in some sources even there is a name of Antipas Молдованин. Father Antipa began the sacred service in Romania, then has continued on Athos. On affairs of donations has arrived to Russia, has reached the Valaam. There, shaken to depth of soul greatness of a northern country and Valaam temples, it also remained till the end of the days.
For today the Suruchensky monastery aspires to revive former well-being. Nuns and novices are engaged in an economy, a kitchen garden, in a monastery the small candle factory operates. Inhabitants of neighbouring villages gradually come back to a habit to address in a monastery behind the help and council.
Nadejda Degtiareva,
photo by Valerii Corcimari
