It is surprising that even when the abbot of the monastery retires, he does not succeed in withdrawing from service. This happened with Archimandrite Sophrony, the abbot of the Vysokhogorsk desert in Arzamas. He retired from business in the wilderness to indulge in prayer and meditation. He was followed by novices, some were married before the tonsure, had children. Those girls who wanted to dedicate themselves to God were placed nearby. They built a house church for the descent of Jesus Christ into hell. This happened in 1908.
The small community existed until 1921 without any official status. And then, a miracle of miracles, at a time when monasteries were everywhere closed, one opened. In 1921, on the death of Sophronius, Bishop of Arzamas opened the Iversko-Sofronievsk community, in honor of the elder and the icon of the Mother of God of Iberus.
After 8 years, the authorities came to their senses, the community was closed. In the 90s, local residents tried to revive it. They dismantled abandoned houses and built a chapel, living quarters, outbuildings. The residents did not appear and the case was quiet. Only in the 200s began to come here novices.
In 2003, a new church was cut down, in the Russian style. A chapel was built over the grave of Sophrony, who was canonized by the Ukrainian Church in 2008.
The temple is summer, in winter services are held in a small house church. Interest in the monastery is increasing. Construction of a hotel and a museum has begun. Pilgrims will help to restore the monastery fully.
Charitable Foundation Holy Land
Temples and Monasteries of Russia
