Introduction

It was over 100 years ago that the spiritual candle was lit in Primorye, the Far Eastern end of Russia, as the monastery of the Holy Trinity and St Nicholas was founded. During its short but eventful life, the monastery had an enormous effect on the spiritual life of the region, as well as its culture and economy.

After decades of atheism of the Soviet Union, the tragic events and the devastation of much of the 20th century, the spiritual life of the area is being revived. In 1995, one hundred years after the monastery was first established, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II signed the decree by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church to rebuild the monastery.

The revival of the former grand cloister is far from easy; perhaps it is an even more difficult task that the one that faced the original founder of the monastery, Igumen Alexy (Oskolkov). Monastic life is being resumed after years of spiritual and religious emptiness, in a region resembling a spiritual desert.

The situation in the Far East of Russia is even more difficult than in central parts of the country, as out of over 100 churches that used to be in the area, only one has survived without any damage. The Church was almost completely destroyed in the region. The monastery itself was closed down in 1921 and taken over by the army.

In 1996, a law was passed by the President of the Russian Federation regarding the rehabilitation of religious citizens and clergy, which also stated that the land and property previously owned by the church had to be returned back to its rightful owner. However, the monastery still has not been given back its land, as the army has been using an excuse for not returning the land. There is a rumour that before the revolution, there was an army intelligence school at the monastery, and that the first abbot, Fr Alexy, was somehow involved in this. This myth is being exploited by the army in order to avoid returning the land and property unlawfully taken away from the monastery.

With God's mercy, the monastery is today trying to revive what once was by adapting its spiritual life to the rules that used to exist before. As in the old days, the day begins with a common prayer at 3.45 AM. Prayer, humility and obedience to God constitute the main monastic task. As before, the monastery is often visited by the Bishop of Vladivostok and Primorye Veniamin.

It is too early to speak of any successes or achievements, but the most important thing is the presence of hope and trust in God. The brethren have the hard task of rebuilding the monastery, both spiritually and physically. The bells of the church of Transfiguration ring regularly to gather people, both locals and pilgrims, for services. Services are being held and people's hearts are undergoing changes. Using words and deeds, the monastery is showing us the way towards salvation and the revival of Orthodox Russia in its new glory.
Amen.