Russian Orthodox Church in Montenegro. Ostrog monastery in Montenegro

The territory of picturesque Montenegro is covered with numerous cathedrals, monasteries and temples of different religious denominations. Since the majority of Montenegrins profess Orthodoxy, the country has more than sixty Christian monasteries, dating back to ancient times. Many churches and monasteries in Montenegro store holy relics, which attracts numerous pilgrims from different countries, regardless of their affiliation with a confession or religion. Today we will talk about several of the most famous monasteries and cathedrals in Montenegro.

Moraca Monastery- the most famous medieval religious monument of Montenegro, famous for the presence there of miraculously preserved unique frescoes and icons - the best examples of Balkan wall painting. The monastery was built in the Kolasin region, on the banks of the Moraca River in 1252, by order of Stefan Nemanja, the son of the Serbian prince Vukan the Second Nemanjic. The monastery building, built of yellow stone, was surrounded by a powerful wall. Unfortunately, during the Ottoman invasion in the fifteenth century, the Moraca monastery was desecrated by the Turks, who tore off the lead roof. After which, the monastery was abandoned by the brothers-monks. But in 1574, under the leadership of the village elder Vukic Vucetich, it was repaired main temple monastery, the walls inside were re-painted with frescoes, in 1616 the external painting of the temple was also restored by the artist Georgy Mitrofanovich. The Small Church of St. Nicholas was restored in 1639; it was painted by the Montenegrin master Kozma. In the eighteenth century, the Turks attacked the monastery again, forcing the peace-loving brethren of the monastery to take up arms to defend the holy place. The resistance of the monks was led by Archimandrite Pan Mitrofan, with the help of his wise leadership, he managed to successfully repel the attack, and the archimandrite was awarded gold medal for bravery, a little later he was elected metropolitan. In honor of the fallen valiant defenders of the monastery, a memorial plaque was erected here. The buildings of the monastery complex include: the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Church of St. Nicholas, and several monastic buildings. All buildings were built and decorated in the Romanesque style, with the dominance of the “Rash school” style. The simplicity on the outside contrasts sharply with the luxury of the interior, which brought wide fame to the Moraca monastery. The ancient frescoes are especially magnificent, the oldest of which date back to the thirteenth century: they depict eleven scenes taken from the righteous life of the prophet Elijah. Slightly later frescoes date back to the sixteenth century, depicting: Paradise, Abraham's bosom, Satan, like a two-headed beast. These frescoes are one of the few that have survived in Montenegro from that time. In addition to frescoes, the monastery has beautiful icons made by the greatest masters of the eighteenth century. The most valuable icons kept in this monastery are considered to be the icon of St. Sava and the icon of St. Luke - they are the pride of the Balkan Peninsula. The monastery treasury contains many sacred relics, including the “hand of St. Charalampius”, magnificent engraved crosses, a baptistery made of marble, a nail of St. Sava, an altar cross, sixteenth-century work made of walnut wood, a huge icon with the life of St. John the Baptist , a copy of the "Octoechus of the First Glas" is the first South Slavic book in Cyrillic, printed in 1494. Today, the Moraca Monastery in Montenegro is a functioning monastery belonging to the Montenegrin-Litovarian Metropolis of the Serbian Orthodox Church. For the convenience of pilgrims and tourists who come to this monastery, there is a small cafe and camping.

Ostrog Monastery- the cradle of the country's Orthodox religion, a symbol of Montenegro's spiritual faith and the most popular place of religious pilgrimage in the whole Balkan Peninsula . After all, the wonderworker Vasily of Ostrog, whose relics are kept in this monastery, is the most revered and respected saint. And not only for Orthodox believers, but also for representatives of other faiths. That is why this monastery, carved into the steep rock of Ostroshka Greda in Danilovgrad, is visited by people from all over the world, hoping to find peace of mind and be cured of serious illnesses. Every year there are more than a hundred thousand visitors who dream of touching the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog, famous for his miracles of healing. The monastery was built in 1665 under the leadership of the Archbishop of Herzegovina - Vasily Ioannovich, on the site of ancient caves of hermit monks, at an altitude of nine hundred meters above sea level. When the archbishop died, he was proclaimed a saint, and his relics became the main relic of the Ostrog monastery. This happened, according to legend, after one of the monks heard a voice in a dream, commanding him to go to Ostrog and open the crypt of Vasily, when the brethren opened the crypt, they saw that the body was completely incorruptible and fragrant. Then the relics were placed in a sarcophagus. Since then, the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog have worked real miracles of healing seriously ill and mentally ill people, with just one touch. This monastery is an equally revered place by Orthodox, Catholics and Muslims. For Christian believers, the Ostrog Monastery is the third shrine in the world, after the tomb of Jesus Christ and the Holy Mount of Jerusalem. The Ostrog Monastery is divided into two parts: the Lower Monastery, built in the nineteenth century, and the Upper Monastery, an ancient one that houses the main relics. In the Lower Monastery there are monastic cells of the monks, there is a Church of the Holy Trinity, there are also the relics of the Holy New Martyr Stanko, famous for the fact that he suffered for the Christian faith when he was captured by the Turks: he held a cross in his hands and did not deviate from his faith under their threats , for this, a fifteen-year-old shepherdess had his hands cut off. But the main place of pilgrimage for believers and tourists is the upper monastery, to which you need to walk five kilometers along a forest path. The Upper Monastery is carved into a steep rock; on its territory there are two churches: the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - “Holy Cross” and the Vvedenskaya Church of the Virgin Mary. The Vvedensky Church has a modest size - three by three meters; it was here that St. Basil of Ostrog spent fifteen years praying. It is here, on the rock, that an icon depicting the saint is carved. The ark with his relics is kept in the Vvedenskaya Church. There are other valuable relics here: a prayer book from 1732, unique temple candlesticks dating back to 1779, wall frescoes painted in 1667 in the Church of the Holy Cross, works by the master Radul. Today, twelve monks live in the monastery; they not only serve, but also conduct excursions for pilgrims and tourists. Especially a lot of people come to this famous monastery of Montenegro on the twelfth of May - the day of St. Basil of Ostrog. According to tradition, visitors leave requests to the saint on notes that are placed in cracks in the rock near the monastery. On the territory of the monastery complex there are rooms for people to stay overnight, a shop with church souvenirs: books, icons, blessed oil, bottles of holy water collected from a local consecrated spring, and there is also a restaurant specializing in preparing dishes of the national cuisine of Montenegro.

Cetinje Monastery– located in the city of Cetinje, at the foot of Eagle Mountain, and is the main symbol of Orthodox Montenegro, since for five hundred years now the heart of the country’s spiritual life has been beating here. This monastery was first the seat of the metropolitans of Montenegro, and then the seat of the Head of Serbian Orthodoxy. This monastery houses sacred Orthodox relics. The history of the founding of the monastery goes back to 1484, when it was built by Ivan Chernoevich as a residence for the diocese of the city of Cetinje. In 1692, this monastery was destroyed by the Turks, then the monastery was rebuilt, but on neighboring lands. In 1714, this monastery was burned again and restored again. And after that, the spiritual, cultural and political center of Montenegro was formed here. In the heart of the monastery complex is the modest Church of the Nativity Holy Mother of God, with a beautiful iconostasis, which was created by talented Greek artists in the nineteenth century. The main relics of the monastery are: the coffin containing the relics of St. Peter of Cetinje, located in the southern choir; particles of the Holy Cross; the cell of St. Peter of Cetinje, containing a particle of the relics of St. Theodore Stratilates; right hand of John the Baptist; epitrachelion of St. Sava the First; crown of King Stefan Dečanski; ancient church banners, a rich collection of handwritten and printed books from the thirteenth to nineteenth centuries. Not far from the entrance are the graves of Prince Danilo I Petrovich Njegosh, Duke-voivode Mirko - his brother, and the grave of Danilo I Petrovich's widow - Darinka. You can visit the monastery daily and for free, but you cannot take photographs inside the temple or the monastic building itself. This monastery is a functioning monastery belonging to the Montenegrin-Primorsky Metropolis of the Serbian Orthodox Church. There are ten monks serving here who conduct regular services.

Cathedral of Saint Tryphon– is a central Christian landmark ancient city Kotor In addition, it is the oldest church on the Adriatic coast, which is protected by UNESCO. The cathedral is named after Saint Tryphon, which is pronounced "Sveti Tripun" in the local dialect. The relics of this saint, revered in the city of Kotor, are located in this cathedral. Saint Tryphon is the patron saint of local residents, especially sailors and the city of Kotor in general. The cathedral stands on the square of the same name at the foot of the mountains, near the episcopate. The construction of the temple began in 1124 and was completely completed on July 19, 1166. But it did not appear out of nowhere; previously there stood the ancient church of St. Tryphon, which was built back in 809, with the financing of a noble local resident, Andrius Saratsenis, who bought the relics of the saint from merchants from Byzantium. But that church burned down, so a more majestic temple in the Byzantine-Romanesque style arose in its place. Since then, it has been rebuilt many times, as it often suffered during earthquakes, which is why the building combines elements of several styles, in addition to the main Byzantine-Romanesque: Renaissance, Baroque, etc. The last time the temple was damaged by an earthquake occurred in 1979. Today, there are priceless relics here: the relics of St. Tryphon, in a small chapel; sarcophagus of Andrius Saracenis; the carved canopy hanging above the tabernacle, which has enormous cultural value; stone and wooden sculptures, a stone altar decorated with silver and gold, made in Venice, fragments of wall frescoes of the fifteenth century. By the way, Cathedral Saint Tryphon can be seen on the coat of arms of the Montenegrin resort of Kotor. This Orthodox landmark of Montenegro annually attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world.

Piva Monastery- was built in the sixteenth century, during the difficult period of Turkish rule for Montenegro. Until now, it is famous throughout the country for its unique frescoes and rare objects of church worship, as well as the holy relics kept here. This famous monastery of Montenegro has two dates of construction: 1586 - when the first monastery was built near the source of the Piva River among pine and birch forests; and 1982, when the monastery building was completely moved to a new location due to the construction of a hydroelectric power station on the river. Now the monastery is located in the northwestern part of Montenegro, in the city of Pluzine, on the banks of the picturesque Piva reservoir. The first monastery was built by order of Metropolitan Savvatiy Sokolović, who later became the patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church. First, they built the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary - the main temple of the monastery - from hewn pink and gray stones. But there weren’t enough stones, and the builders used any they could get their hands on. stone blocks, even ancient tombstones, which is why the rows of wall laying are completely uneven and the inscriptions on the gravestones are visible on them. The three-nave basilica looks very modest and inconspicuous; it does not have an upper dome: this was necessary so as not to attract undue attention from the Ottoman authorities. But, interior decoration The church is magnificent: only the fresco painting here occupies one thousand two hundred and sixty square meters. The first frescoes were created between 1604 and 1606 by Greek masters who painted scenes from Holy Scripture, from the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the life of St. John the Baptist, including, here you can see a panorama of the city of Jerusalem. Later frescoes were painted by local masters: priest Strakhinya, who came from the city of Budimlya, and master Kozma. One of the main values ​​of the monastery is the iconostasis in the main church, which was created by several masters: three large icons - the Most Holy Theotokos, Jesus Christ, the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos, the work of master Longinus - the best icon painter of those times; a large carved oak cross and icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John the Theologian were created by another master, some of the icons are decorated with gilded carvings by master Kozma. The monastery sacristy contains priceless works of art of Serbian-Montenegrin culture. In the storerooms of the monastery there are one hundred and eighty-three ancient books, two hundred and eighty valuable religious objects, especially valuable are four handwritten gospels, mounted in a heavy silver setting, three of which, by the way, are gifts from Russia. There are valuable liturgical objects, books, the psalter of Georgiy Chernoevich - the first Balkan printed book, the omophorion of Metropolitan Savvaty Sokolovich, a letter from Russian Emperor Alexander the Great, various ritual objects, great works of art. The Piva Monastery is an outstanding architectural monument of the Middle Ages for Montenegro, a place where valuable works of ancient art are stored. The Piva Monastery is a popular place among pilgrims to holy places, as it houses the miraculous relics of several saints, revered not only by Christians: the hand of the Holy King Urosh the First Nemanjić, a piece of the relics of Saint Gregory the Theologian, the relics of Saint Gregory of Armenia, the relics of the Hieromartyr Eleftherios, pieces of the relics of the eleven unknown saints. The Piva Monastery is an active monastery belonging to the Budimljan-Niksic diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church. There are regular services here, and for the reception of pilgrims and tourists there are dedicated reception days, as well as a schedule of excursions.

Savina Monastery- was named after the Serbian Archbishop Saint Sava the First, despite the fact that it arose long before his birth: it was in the eleventh century. Today, this beautiful monastery, located on the picturesque shores of the Bay of Kotor, surrounded by a lush carpet of Mediterranean greenery, is a unique local monument of Baroque architecture and the Orthodox center of the city. The monastery complex includes three churches: the Small Assumption Church, the Great Assumption Church, the Church of St. Sava, a cell building, and a cemetery. Many buildings have been preserved from the founding of this monastery, although the rest of the monastery architectural ensemble was erected later. The oldest buildings include the Small Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1030, when the monastery itself had not yet appeared. Its walls are painted in the Byzantine style by the famous master from Kotor - Lovro Dobrichevich. The temple is very small, ten by six meters. The first written mention of the Savina monastery dates back to 1648, when refugees from the Tverdosh monastery arrived here from the city of Herzegovina, they began to restore the Small Assumption Church, but this reconstruction lasted a long time, until 1831. The Church of St. Sava is located outside the monastery walls, higher up the mountain slope. This temple was built by Sava himself in the thirteenth century. This temple serves as the parish church of the monastery. The main monastery church is the Great Assumption Church, built in 1799 by Nikola Foretic, a Venetian architect who arrived from the island of Korcula. This is a very majestic building in the Baroque style, perfectly in harmony with the surrounding beautiful landscape. Inside, the temple is decorated with a beautiful eighteenth-century iconostasis, measuring seven by ten meters. The main relic of this monastery is located on this iconostasis - miraculous icon Savinskaya Mother of God, who at one time saved the monastery from destruction in the eighteenth century by the Venetians who sailed on ships with the intention of shelling this temple. But the monks tearfully prayed in front of the icon and suddenly a miracle happened: in the middle of a clear sky, lightning struck one of the enemy ships and burned it to the ground. The Savina Monastery houses other Christian shrines and relics: the relics of Queen Helena of Serbia - “Venerable Eugenia”; finger of St. Thomas the Apostle; part of the relics of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious; crystal cross of St. Sava, mounted in a silver frame; shroud of 1642; five-bread bowl made of silver, 1648; chalice, seventeenth century; Gospel, seventeenth century; forged cross of hieromonk George Savinets, eighteenth century; a portrait of Emperor Peter the Great, which was delivered from Russia in 1831. In general, it must be said that Russia is very revered in this monastery: at the beginning of the nineteenth century, Russian sailors liberated Boku from French troops, and at the beginning of the twentieth century, numerous noble emigrants from Russia came here. By the way, it was from the Russian primer, still kept in the sacristy of this monastery, that in the twenties of the nineteenth century the future ruler of Montenegro, Peter II Petrovich Njegosh, learned to read and write. In addition, in 2005, director Emir Kusturica was baptized into the Orthodox faith at the Savina Monastery. Savina Monastery is an active monastery belonging to the Montenegrin-Litoval Metropolis of the Serbian Orthodox Church, with ten novices-servants.

In conclusion, I would like to say that Montenegrins are not only very friendly and hospitable, but also deeply religious people, which can be seen from the huge number of monasteries, churches, temples and chapels in the country. So, if you knew Montenegro as a country of excellent resorts, then remember that this is a picturesque region with rich cultural heritage, captured in numerous historical Orthodox monuments located throughout the country. By the way, Orthodox monasteries in Montenegro are the most visited attractions in the country. Travelers who came to beach holiday When visiting Montenegro, they must make pilgrimage tours to the famous Montenegrin monasteries and temples in order to venerate the most important Orthodox Christian shrines kept here. In general, in Montenegro, there are almost sixty active monasteries, and each of them has an invaluable historical heritage.

Route: Rustovo - Daibabe - Ostrog - Cetinje (on the map )

Travel time: 8 -10 hours

42°16"08.1"N 18°54"37.4"E

This place is located 20 minutes drive from Budva in a beautiful location in the mountains. Rustovo - convent, where 14 nuns live, one of them is Russian, the rest speak our language tolerably. He has old church 14th century Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And in 2005, a new church was consecrated in honor of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers of the Romanovs, it is the only one on the entire Balkan Peninsula. On July 17, Glory takes place in honor of the Romanovs, which attracts many Russian emigrants, Montenegrins and Serbs from the coast. Montenegro has a very close relationship with the Russian Empire, dating back 300 years.

The Rustovo parking lot is located 100 m from the monastery, don’t miss the sign. Walk to the gate with a bell and ring it to make yourself known. A nun will meet you and give you clothes if you came in open clothes. By the way, the scarf on the head is not required element in Montenegrin churches, you don’t have to take it. In front of the entrance to the monastery and on its territory there are part of the graves of the Pashtrović family, who died in a battle in the 14th century with the army of the Hungarian king Louis. On the bones of the sufferers, a new temple was built from wooden beams, in the Russian style. The monastery has its own workshops where nuns make useful souvenirs and cosmetics self made, dry herbs and offer healing alcoholic drinks.

What to see nearby:

I recommend taking the first pause at a panoramic point Chelobrdo (42°15"51.5"N 18°54"00.8"E), which offers an incredible panorama of the island-hotel Sveti Stefan, its royal beaches and the Budva Riviera. You'll see the ending here old path, built 200 years ago by the Russian monk Yegor Stroganov. It originates from the monastery Praskvica (42°15"44.6"N 18°53"50.8"E). Also pause for a photo or morning coffee at the hotel restaurant Adrovic on the panoramic platform (42°15"22.0"N 18°53"50.9"E).

42°24"14.1"N 19°13"56.9"E

Further, the road bifurcates above Petrovets. The first option is through a mountain pass along serpentines, but with beautiful panoramas of the sea and lake, the second is through the Sozin tunnel along a direct road (you pay 2.5 euros after driving through it). Here you can take a break in Virpazar or at the bridge near Lake Skadar for a photo. Another 20 minutes and you are at your destination - the Daibabe Monastery, hidden in a cave in the shape of a cross. It was built by Simeon Daibabsky at the end of the 19th century, a student of the Kyiv Theological Seminary. It was in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra that he took monastic vows, and then returned to his homeland, where he erected an unusual monastery at his own expense. Simeon painted the frescoes in the cave with his own hand, and now his body rests in the monastery in an open shrine. It attracts a lot of pilgrims, because... Simeon was recognized as a saint (in the world his name was Savva Popovich).

42°40"30.2"N 19°01"48.3"E

The main place in Montenegro for a believer is Ostrog. This monastery was built in the 17th century in a steep cliff; Turks and even communists repeatedly encroached on it. But thanks to the vigilant Montenegrins, the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog have survived to this day. During his lifetime, he was considered a wise advisor and Healer, and today pilgrims travel to ask for health, healing, and long-awaited offspring. Miracles happen in Ostrog all the time!

42°23"16.2"N 18°55"17.9"E

Parking at the Cetinje Monastery is free, located next to the Theological Seminary and the Billiards Palace. All you have to do is walk 100 m, and you are at the gates of the very “heart” of Montenegro, as the Cetinje Monastery is commonly called. For many centuries, metropolitans ruled the country from here, and even in the 21st century, church authority has great power. The most important relics for the entire Orthodox world are kept here - the right hand of John the Baptist, with which he baptized Jesus Christ on the Jordan River, as well as a piece of the cross on which he was crucified. They found themselves in a small mountainous country due to severe historical events in the form of two World Wars and close family ties with the Romanovs. The third relic, the Philermo Icon, is also located in Cetinje, all of them skillfully decorated with gold and precious stones by order of the Romanovs when they were in Russia.

When entering the territory of the Cetinje Monastery, first of all, cover your legs and neckline; on the table in the center they hand out free stoles. Then go to the priest (on the left), tell where you came from, listen to the history of the monastery, leave notes about health and repose, buy candles and souvenirs. Having placed candles on the street in a specially designated place, you will be asked to wait 10 minutes until the opening of the shrine with the relics of Peter Cetinje, metropolitan and ruler of Montenegro in the 18th-19th centuries. And only then you will be called to the church, they will open the tomb with the relics of the ruler, where also lie two arks with the Hand of John the Baptist and a piece of the Life-Giving Cross. Evening service in the summer at the Cetinje Monastery takes place at 18-00. It is advisable for you to be in time before it, so as not to wait another hour.

The Filermos icon is kept nearby in the People's Museum under an alarm system and bulletproof glass, it is very expensive thing, dating back almost 2000 years (written by the Apostle Luke in 46). On the maps this building looks like Vladin Dom or the Folk Museum (42°23"21.4"N 18°55"22.8"E). Buy a second floor only ticket to the Art Gallery for 4 euros. Admire the paintings of Montenegrin artists, after which you will find yourself in a room with icons (all donated by Russia), opposite it there is a dark room with the Philermo icon, illuminated fluorescent lamps. You can read about the history of the icon and the long journey of the three relics around the world from a brochure in Russian that will be given out at the museum.

If after a long trip to the monasteries you still have energy and time, then take a walk around the historical and cultural capital of Montenegro. The central square of Cetinje and the pedestrian street Njegoš will leave a pleasant impression.

Various religions coexist peacefully on the territory of Montenegro, and according to the country’s Constitution, all religious organizations have the same rights and are separated from the state.

Moreover, according to the population census conducted in Montenegro in 2011, the majority of citizens - about 72% - profess the Orthodox faith.

They are parishioners of the Montenegrin-Primorsky Metropolis of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as the Montenegrin Orthodox Church, which is not recognized in the Orthodox world.

Montenegrin Orthodox Church declared itself autocephalous in 1993, separating from the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is small in number and there is even an opinion that it was created artificially to incite internal conflicts. However, it is the Montenegrin Orthodox Church that is officially supported by the country's authorities.

In particular, for some time there has been talk about the need to build a temple of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church in the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica, although financial problems have not yet allowed construction to begin. Meanwhile, the city authorities of Podgorica have already expressed their intention to allocate a plot of land for the temple.

In general, Orthodoxy in Montenegro dates back many centuries, and even the influence of Ottoman rule did not prevent the Montenegrins as a whole from maintaining their faith and autonomy. For more than 300 years there was theocratic state, whose ruler (lord) united both ecclesiastical and secular power in his hands.

One of the famous rulers of that period is Peter I Petrovic Njegos, now revered as the Orthodox saint Peter of Cetinje. Regarding another great ruler - Peter II Petrovich Njegos, also known for his literary activities, the procedure for recognizing him as a saint is also underway these days.

Naturally, all this could not but affect the formation of the mentality of Montenegrins, the local traditions and architecture. Of course, today the church here is separated from the state and is independent, but for the majority of the country’s residents, religion is not an empty phrase, Orthodox holidays in Montenegro they are sacredly revered, and shrines are protected.

Moreover, Orthodox shrines in Montenegro are revered not only by the inhabitants of this country, but are also known to believers throughout the Orthodox world, and in last years Even such a phenomenon as pilgrimage tourism to holy places appeared. And this is not surprising, because there are many temples, monasteries and monasteries in which the greatest Orthodox relics are protected.

In particular, the incorruptible right hand (right hand) of John the Baptist (the Baptist), who baptized Jesus Christ, and a particle of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord are kept in the Cetinje Monastery. Also in Cetinje, but already in the Art Museum, there is one of the oldest miraculous Orthodox icons- an icon of Our Lady of Philermos, the author of which, according to legend, is the Evangelist Luke.

Another no less significant place of pilgrimage in Montenegro is, of course, the Ostrog monastery, which has also become one of the symbols of the country due to its unique architectural appearance. The relics of the wonderworker Vasily of Ostrozh, a very revered saint in these places, are kept here.

On the day of his memory, May 12, believers make a pilgrimage walk about 30 km long from the largest Orthodox church in Montenegro - the Temple Christ's Resurrection in Podgorica - to the monastery located in the mountains.

Among the other most visited Montenegrin Orthodox monasteries, the Moraca Monastery, the Piva Monastery, the Savina Monastery, and the Rustovo Convent are sure to be mentioned. In total, there are 571 Orthodox churches and 60 monasteries in Montenegro, many of which are located in very inaccessible, isolated places.

Attract pilgrims and Orthodox churches Montenegro, located in cities. It is definitely worth seeing and visiting the 12th century Church of St. Luke the Apostle and the Church of St. Nicholas in Kotor, the Church of the Archangel Michael in Herceg Novi, the ancient Church of the Virgin Mary and the Church of the Holy Trinity in Budva, the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul of the late 12th century in Bijelo Polje and many other holy places.

The temples of Montenegro, which have survived more than one century and bear numerous traces of the country’s difficult history, have finally begun to be reconstructed and restored in recent years.

Montenegro is distinguished by amazing religious tolerance. It should be mentioned that there are unique two-altar churches here, in which both Orthodox and Catholic services can be held. And on important days religious holidays Believers are officially given days off in accordance with their religion.

If you are interested in Orthodoxy in Montenegro, be sure to read. Father Gregory has been living in Montenegro for more than 10 years and told a lot of interesting things about faith, customs and history.

In Montenegro, not far from Danilovgrad, there is an Orthodox monastery Ostrog, which has been operating since the 15th century. This monastery is one of the most revered religious places in the world. It is visited by about a million tourists and pilgrims every year. Ostrog is visited not only by Orthodox Christians, but also by Catholics and Muslims.

From a distance, the Ostrog Monastery looks as if it has defied gravity. It is built right on a steep cliff, high above the plain. From a distance of several kilometers you can see the white part of the monastery shining high above the plain on a dark rock. It is believed that the Ostrog monastery works miracles. Pilgrims from all over the world come here to venerate the relics of St. Basil and ask for health.

The monastery is divided into two parts: the Upper and Lower Monasteries. If you are driving your own or, you can park near the Lower Monastery. In the Upper Monastery you will have to walk along a path through the forest for about 30-40 minutes. There is also a parking lot above, but even from there you will have to walk about 10 minutes to the Upper Monastery. You can only approach the main entrance of the monastery if you are with small children, disabled people or pregnant women. You can also drive up to the main entrance in the evening, when there are significantly fewer visitors to the monastery.

Foundation of the Ostrog Monastery

The founding date of the Ostrog monastery is considered to be the 17th century. It was founded by Vasily Ostrogsky (12/28/1610-04/29/1671), Metropolitan-Bishop of Herzegovina. After his death, Vasily was canonized and now he is one of the most revered saints of Serbia and Montenegro.

Life of Vasily Ostrogsky

Vasily Ostrogsky (Stoyan Petrovich Jovanovic) was born on December 28, 1610 in Herzegovina, which at that time was part of Ottoman Empire. Pious parents feared for the boy's life, so they sent him to Uncle Seraphim at the Zavala Monastery, where he lived and studied. Later, his uncle sent the grown-up Stojan to the Tvrdos Monastery in Trebinje (now the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina) for further education. Here he took monastic vows with the name Vasily, in honor of St. Basil the Great. Vasily preferred the life of an ascetic. A few years later he reluctantly agreed to become a bishop. He lived in the Tvrdosh monastery, but when the Turks attacked and destroyed it, he moved to Ostrog.

Construction of the monastery

Vasily started with three caves on the rock. He decided to build a church in the first cave, a house for pilgrims in the second cave and a chapel in the third cave. He continued to build the monastery throughout his life until he died in 1671 at the age of 61.
In 1678, seven years after his death, the abbot of the monastery of St. Luke had a dream about Vasily Ostrozhsky. In a dream, Vasily ordered him to go to Ostrog and open his grave. At first, the abbot ignored his dream, but this dream was repeated for several nights, after which he accepted his dream as a sign from above and went with the monks to Ostrog.
When the monks came to Basil's grave, they fasted and prayed for seven days. And only on the seventh day they opened the grave. The body of Vasily Ostrozhsky was well preserved and smelled of basil. Therefore, his relics were taken to the Upper Monastery, to the Church of the Presentation, where they are kept to this day.

Over the past 300 years, the Ostrog monastery and the relics of St. Basil have had to be defended more than once.
In 1714, the monks buried the relics near the monastery on the banks of the Zeta River to protect them from the Turk Numan Pasha Chuprilic.
In 1852, the saint’s relics had to be hidden again. The Turkish commander Omar Pasha attacked the monastery. The siege lasted nine days. Ostrog was defended by only 30 Montenegrins, led by Prince Mirko Petrovich. After successful defense, the relics were transported to Cetinje, where they remained in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary until the spring of 1853.
During the Second World War, a fascist bomb fell on the territory of the monastery, in the Church of the Holy Trinity, but it broke into two parts and did not explode. Now the fragments of this bomb are stored in the monastery.

Territory of the Ostrog monastery

Lower Monastery erected only in the 19th century. It includes several cells, the Church of the Holy Trinity (1824) and a guest house where pilgrims can find accommodation for the night. The cost of a bed is about five euros, they will wake you up early, at 5 o'clock in the morning.
The Church of the Holy Trinity contains the relics of the twelve-year-old boy Stanko, whose hands were cut off by the Turks during the persecution for holding an Orthodox cross. Stanko refused to part with him, for which he was punished. Later he was canonized.

Upper Monastery is located three kilometers from Nizhny. The road to it is very difficult and quite dangerous, although there is a shorter path through the forest, which is most often used by believers. In the Upper Monastery there are the Holy Cross and Vvedenskaya churches. Vasily Ostrozhsky spent 15 years in prayer in the Vedeno Church. It is noteworthy that the size of the shrine is 3 by 3 meters. At the entrance, an icon of the saint is carved on the rock. Relics from this church include a silver candlestick and a prayer book from the 18th century.
In 1923, the monastery was seriously damaged by fire. The fire destroyed most of the Upper Monastery, but was repaired between 1923 and 1926. Two churches in the caves have been preserved, since they lacked wooden structures, now they are the main places in the monastery. The monks' cells had to be rebuilt.

Vvedenskaya Church

The Vvedenskaya Church houses the relics of St. Basil. All those who wish can come up and venerate his relics. On weekends, many locals, pilgrims and tourists come to the monastery, so in order for the line to the relics to move quickly, the monks of the monastery bring people in and out. You can walk near the shrine and kiss the cross. The frescoes in the Vvedenskaya Church were painted at the end of the 15th century.

Church of the Exaltation of the Cross

This church was named Holy Cross Church because it is believed that part of the cross on which Christ was crucified was donated to the church when it was built.
The church is located in a cave on the top floor of the monastery. The frescoes were painted by the Serbian master Radul, and they were well preserved, despite the dampness inside the church. The most impressive thing about these frescoes is that they were painted directly on the rock. They depict Saint Basil, Saint Sava, scenes from the life of Christ and religious holidays.

Vine

Ascending to the top floor of the Upper Monastery, you will emerge onto a balcony overlooking the plains. This stunning view makes anyone wonder how Vasily Ostrogsky managed to build a monastery in this place in the 15th century. Here, on the balcony, you will see grapevine, which grows directly from the rock. Local residents say that this is a real miracle, because for almost 400 years this vine has been growing on a bare rock, without soil, on the site of the death of Vasily Ostrozhsky.

Excursion “Ostrog and Cetinje Monasteries”

Adults (12+) – 25 euros

Children with a seat - 12.5 euros,without a seat - free (0-3)

During this wonderful excursion you will see the two main shrines of Montenegro - the Ostrog monastery and. Prisonis the third most visited monastery in the world after Jerusalem and Mount Athos in Greece. In the monastery xthe relics of the Great Basil of Ostrog the Wonderworker are wounded, this is the most revered saint in the Balkans.Cetinje Monastery is famous all over the world for storing The right hand of Saint John the Baptist, the man who baptized Jesus Christ. Anyone can venerate the relics.

Excursion “Ostrog and Podgorica Monastery”

Adults (12+) – 25 euros

Children (0 - 11) with a seat -12.50 euros

During this excursion you will see the main shrine of Montenegro - the Ostrog monastery, as well as the Cathedral Church of the Resurrection of Christ in the capital of the country, Podgorica. Ostrog Monastery is the third most visited monastery in the world after Jerusalem and Mount Athos in Greece. The monastery houses the relics of the Great Basil of Ostrog, the Wonderworker, the most revered saint. The temple in Podgorica is one of the largest temples in the Balkans. Height 41.5 m, 7 gilded crosses, 17 bells. The largest bell weighs 11 tons. All the bells were cast in Russia, in Voronezh. The inside of the temple is made of different types marble and granite.

Rules for visiting the Ostrog monastery

To enter the monastery, women must wear a dress or skirt that covers their knees; men must wear pants or jeans. You will also need to keep your shoulders covered, a regular T-shirt will do. Many women cover their heads with a headscarf, but this is not required.

Ostrog Monastery on the map of Montenegro

TOP best excursions in Montenegro in 2019

Excursion "Canyons"

Adults (12+) – 40 euros

Children (4 - 11) - 20 euros

Children (0 - 3) without a seat - free

Children (0 - 3) with seat - 20 euros

If you want to see Montenegro, you should gofor this unique and most popular excursion in the country. During the tour you will see the largest lake in Europe - Skadar Lake, ancient Moraca monastery, amazing beauty mountains of Montenegro, Europe's largest canyon Tara River Canyon, famous Djurdzhevich Bridge, and also visit Durmitor National Park.

Excursion « Raftingaccording to Tara»

Adults (12+) – 65 euros

Children (7 - 11) - 32.5 euros

on Mondays, Thursdays

from 06:05 to 19:00

Rafting on the Tara River will be an unforgettable adventure in Montenegro.Rafting on Tara has category II difficulty, so it is safe and suitable for people without special training. Anyone from 7 to 60 years old can take part in rafting. The Tara River forms the deepest canyon in Europe. It is the second largest in the world after the Grand Canyon in the USA.On the way to the starting point of the rafting you will seePiva Lake and the Piva River Canyon. The price includes breakfast and lunch in a restaurant with national dishes.

Excursion to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar and waterfalls)

Adults (12+) – 55 euros

Children (0 - 11) with a seat - 30 euros

Children (0 - 3) without a seat - free

Citizens of Russia and Ukraine do not require a visa to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first stop is the Kravice National Park, where you will see beautiful waterfalls. You will have 1.5 hours to swim. Here you can jump into the lake and stand under the falling streams of the waterfall. The city of Mostar is a beautiful and ancient city, which is under UNESCO protection. You will have a guided walk through the old part of the city and free time. The main attraction in Mostar is the bridge over the Neretva River, built in the 15th century.

Excursion “Heart of Montenegro”

Adults (12+) – 50 euros

Children (4 - 11) - 25 euros

Children (0 - 3) without a seat - free

Children (0 - 3) with seat - 25 euros

During the excursion you will visit the ancient the capital of Montenegro – Cetinje and the Cetinje Monastery. In the village of Njegusi you try the famous one Prosciutto and homemade cheese, Here you can buy yourself some delicious souvenirs. Love from above enjoy the panoramic view Boka Kotorsk y bay. During the sightseeing tour, visit the cities of Kotor and Perast. You will sail on a yacht along the Bay of Kotor.

Excursion "Grand Canyons"

Adults (12+) – 6 5 euros

Children (4 - 11) - 40 euros

Children (0 - 3) without a seat - free

Children (0 - 3) with seat - 40 euros

You will travel to the north of Montenegro. The bus will travel along the canyon of the Moraca River, making a stop from a platform with beautiful views of the mountains. Next you go to the canyon of the Tara River. You will see the Djurdzhevich Bridge - one of most beautiful places Montenegro. Here you will admire magnificent views of the largest canyon in Europe. After lunch, the bus will head to Durmitor National Park. You will take a walk through the park and, if desired, swim in the Black Lake. Next, the bus goes to the canyon of the Piva River and Lake Piva, and we will stop at the Orthodox monastery of Piva.

Excursion Skadar Lake + Crnojevica River

Adults (12+) – 40 euros

Children (4 - 11) - 20 euros

Children (0 - 3) without a seat - free

Children (0 - 3) with seat - 20 euros

WITH Lake Kadar is part ofnational park. More than 200 species of birds live here. The lake is rich in fish, but a license is required for fishing. If you wish, you can separately order an organized. During excursions you will swim on a boat on the lake, and everyone can also swim in Lake Skadar itself. From small village Virpazar the excursion group will go by boat to the Crnojevica River. The boat and lunch are included in the excursion price.

Excursion Maxi Montenegro

Adults (12+) – 35 euros

Children (4 – 11) – 20 euros

Children (0 - 3) without a seat - free

Children (0 - 3) with a seat - 20 euros

During the sightseeing tour you will get acquainted with the history and traditions of Montenegro. Visit the former capital of Cetinje and the Cetinje Monastery, which houses the Three Finger Hand of St. John the Baptist right hand with which he baptized Jesus Christ. In the village of Njeguši you will taste prosciutto (smoked pork ham), delicious Njeguši cheese and local mead, and, if desired, rakia. On the way to Lovcen you will see Boka Kotor Bay from above. In the Lovcen National Park, on the second highest mountain range in Montenegro (1650 m), there is the mausoleum of Peter II Petrovic Njegos, the ruler of Montenegro. From the observation deck near the mausoleum a beautiful panorama of Montenegro opens.

Boat trip along the coast of Montenegro

Adults (12+) – 40 euros

Children (0 - 11) with a seat - 20 euros

Children (0 - 3) without a seat - free

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays

If you want to rent a yacht to admire the beauty of Montenegro from the sea, then a boat trip along the coast of Montenegro is suitable for you. This walk suitable for those who are planning their vacation with children, since they don’t get motion sickness on a boat. TOthe boat will sail along one of the most picturesque routes along beautiful beaches Becici, Kamenovo, Milocer, Royal, past the island of St. Stefan, Katic, St. Nedelya and St. Nicholas. The boat will make a stop at the Blue Lagoon.A fish lunch awaits you from the captain.

Excursion Jeep – Safari in Montenegro

Adults (12+) – 70 euros

Children (0 - 11) with a seat - 45 euros

Children (0 - 3) without a seat - free

On Wednesdays

This excursion is for those who love active recreation. The trip takes place in the Biogradska Gora National Park. You will enjoy the national park in a completely new way. You will see why Bjelasica is declared one of the most beautiful national parks in Europe. Excursionpasses through places where it is impossible to travel by bus or regular car. This is one of the most interesting sightseeing tours in Montenegro with active recreation.

G citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Belarus no visa required for a trip to Albania. You will visit two ancient cities of Albania - Shkodra and Tirana. Shkodra is a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage and is one of the main cities in the country. A sightseeing tour of Shkoder will be conducted by a guide from Albania. Next you will head to the capital of Albania - Tirana. The main attractions of Tirana are Skenderbek Square, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Cathedral of the Resurrection and the Ephem Bey Mosque. You will have time for guided sightseeing, lunch and shopping.

Diving in Montenegro

One dive - 44 euros

Two dives - 75 euros

Snorkeling – 12.5 euros

Daily

Diving in Montenegro is popular. Jacques If Cousteau once said that in his life he had never seen purer and more transparent water than the Adriatic from Montenegro and Croatia. The transparency of the water reaches 55 - 60 m. Diving in these places is known throughout Europe. In the coastal waters you can swim among reefs and corals, explore several interesting archaeological finds: sunken Austro-Hungarian and German ships, underwater caves, submarines, ships and various fish.

Montenegro is a country of picturesque nature, historical heritage, magnificent beaches, and monasteries. Montenegrins are deeply religious people, which is why there are dozens of churches, monasteries, and temples throughout the country. The Tochka-mira portal invites you to take a virtual tour of the best monasteries in Montenegro. You will learn in the article about:

• • Where are the shrines located?

• • About history

• • How to get to the monasteries

• • What monasteries can tourists visit?
  • What are the holy monasteries famous for?

Each monastery in Montenegro is unique not only spiritually, but also architecturally. Every year thousands of pilgrims visit Montenegro to tour the shrines.

Ostrog Monastery in Montenegro

The main holy place in Montenegro is the Ostrog monastery, the only monastery carved into the rock. Many believers make a pilgrimage to spend the night in prayer at the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog.

How to get to the Ostrog Monastery

The monastery is located approximately 8 km from the Podgorica - Niksic highway. There are several options for getting there.

The most popular is to come to the monastery as part of an excursion; pilgrimage tours to Ostrog are carried out from almost all major cities of Montenegro.

Car owners will be able to get there on their own by car, following the E-762 highway Danilovgrad - Niksic. There are signs along the road, but you should use a map to avoid getting lost.

In addition, you can get to any nearby city, for example Budva, Podgorica, and from there use a taxi.

Operating mode

The monastery complex is open to tourists throughout the year. Opening hours: from May to September from 06:00 to 17:00; from October to April from 05:00 to 16:00.

History of the Ostrog Monastery

It is not known for certain when the first hermits settled in these areas. People came here in search of solitude, to be away from sinful life and vanity. Later, at the end of the 18th century, a monastery was founded here - Ostrog. Vasily Ostrozhsky made a great contribution to the development of the monastery, who was canonized.

How it all began

Vasily Ostrozhsky was born in 1610 into a religious family, his birth name was Stoyan. The Zavala Monastery will become his real home for many years; the boy’s childhood, adolescence, and youth will pass within its walls. Here he will devote all his time to serving God. After being tonsured in monastery Tvrdosh, the young man becomes Vasily. Then he goes to serve in the Cetinje Monastery, where he miraculously escapes exile. As an archimandrite, Vasily will spend several years in the Tvrdosh Monastery and make a pilgrimage to Mount Athos. At the age of 28, he will already reach the rank of bishop and become metropolitan of two dioceses.

He made a great contribution to the development of Christianity in Montenegro. It was especially difficult during the period of the Ottoman yoke, when even the usual reading of a prayer could be punishable by death.

The situation only got worse, and Vasily goes to the hermits in one of the Ostroshka Greda caves. It was here that he and his brothers founded the Ostrog monastery.

Vasily Ostrozhsky died in 1671 and was buried near the temple. 7 years later, Abbot Raphael saw Vasily in a dream, he insisted on his autopsy, and thus the holy relics were found. Over the years, numerous stories about miracles performed have been associated with them.

Shrines of the Ostrog Monastery

The main shrines of the monastery are the relics of Nicholas of Ostrog.

When visiting the Ostrog Monastery, remember the internal rules:

• • No photography allowed interior spaces temple.

• • Pilgrims' clothing must be closed.

• • Women should wear skirts or dresses that cover their knees. If this is a dress, then without a deep neckline or open shoulders. It is also advisable to wear a scarf on your head.
  • Candles are installed in special boxes with water, at the bottom of which there is sand.

What else can you do at the Ostrog Monastery

While visiting the monastery, you will be able not only to touch the miraculous relics and take part in the service, but also to examine the ancient buildings and climb to the observation deck. The souvenir shop is of particular interest. Here you can buy:

• • incense;

• • holy water;

• • icons;

• • prayer books;
  • pendants, etc.

There is a pilgrim's house at the monastery, where you can stay overnight.

Moraca Monastery in Montenegro

One of the valuable, interesting medieval monuments of Montenegro is the Morač temple. Every year pilgrims come here in search of silence, peace, tranquility, and beauty.

Where is the Morač Monastery located?

The Morač Monastery is located on the banks of the high-mountain canyon of the Morač River. The area is picturesque and is part of the Kolasin municipality. Thanks to its convenient location, a visit to the temple is included in almost any excursion route.

How to get to the Morač Monastery

You can visit the monastery as part of an excursion; travel agencies organize tours from the cities of Montenegro.

There are direct bus services from Podgorica, Budva, Bar, and other regions of Montenegro. You can take any bus on the route to Kolasin; tell the driver in advance to drop you off at the monastery.

In addition, you can get to the monastery yourself by car. You should take the E80 highway towards Kolasin. The distance from the ski resort to the monastery is 28 km. To avoid getting lost, it is advisable to use a map. There are signs along the road, or, in extreme cases, you can check the directions with a Montenegrin, the locals are hospitable and friendly people, they do not refuse help.

History of the Morač Monastery

The monastery was founded by Stefan Nemanja in 1252. At the end of the 4th century, the temple was completely destroyed by the Turks; restoration work continued until 1574. However, in the 18th century, history repeated itself, but this time the enemy capture was repelled by Archimandrite Pan Mitrofan. For his courage he was awarded an honorary gold medal, and after some time he became a metropolitan.

Architectural ensemble

The Morač Monastery is a whole architectural complex, which includes various buildings.

• • Large Cathedral Church of the Assumption of Our Lady (Assembly).

• • Small Church of St. Nicholas.

• • Several buildings with monastic cells.

• • Overnight for travelers.
  • Rich subsidiary farming.

In addition, while walking around the monastery complex, you can see a small spring with holy water, which is distinguished by its taste and has healing properties.

There is an apiary nearby; the local honey is used for the needs of the monastery and is also sold in the shop.

After visiting the main buildings, you can stroll around picturesque garden. Despite the fact that the monks have completely abandoned the benefits of civilization, they keep pastures, raise chickens and sheep, and grow grapes.

Shrines of the Moraca Monastery

During your visit to the temple, you will be able to see several unique shrines.

The main shrine of the temple is the hand of the Holy Great Martyr Harlampius. It is consecrated by her olive oil, which is subsequently used, it is also allowed to take it with you in small quantities.

The first printed book of the southern Slavs, Oktoechus, is also kept here. It was printed in Cyrillic in 1493. When the first printed book in Russia was born only 70 years later.

The library at the monastery stores various documents and a handwritten Gospel.

The altar contains a cross, which was made in the 16th century from walnut wood.

Another interesting object is a nail, which according to legend belonged to Saint Sava.

Before going to the monastery, you should remember the appearance:

• • It is prohibited to wear short shorts, skirts above the knees, or open dresses.
  • Remember, shoulders and knees must be covered.
  • Filming of the external part of the monastery is allowed; photography and filming inside the temple is prohibited.

The temple is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm, admission is free, but you can make a donation. There is a recreation area in the courtyard, it is installed next to the holy spring. Therefore, you can relax and taste the water from healing power. The courtyard of the complex is beautiful and majestic, here you can take beautiful photos as a souvenir.

Not far from the monastery there is a stream, a rocky bridge, and a cafe.

Savinov Monastery in Montenegro

One of the picturesque places in Montenegro is the Savinov Monastery. It is located in the Savino district of the same name, which is part of the city of Herceg Novi.

How to get to the Savinov Monastery

The church is located near the resort of Herceg Novi, you can get there in several ways. The most convenient way is to use a taxi, or you can take a bus going from the Old Town of the Herceg Novi resort to the monastery.

If you decide to travel by car yourself, drive along the road towards Tivat, reach the fork-circle in Melinje (there are three roads at the fork - to Croatia, to Bosnia and Herzegovina and to the center of Herceg Novi), turn into the city and literally in a couple of minutes on the right you will see an exit and a sign “Savina Monastery”.

History of the Savinov Monastery

Savina Monastery is a monastery for men Orthodox monastery, which was founded by monks. It consists of several buildings: the Small Assumption Church, the Great Assumption Church and the Church of St. Sava.

The Small Assumption Church was built in 1030 and is famous for its ancient frescoes dating back to the 15th century. It depicts scenes of religious celebrations, as well as the torment of Christ.

The Great Assumption Church was built in the 17th century and is a striking example of Baroque architecture. The miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Savinskaya is kept within its walls.

According to legend, the Church of St. Sava was built by Sava himself around the 13th century. Not far from the church there is an observation deck from which beautiful views of the area open up.

Monasteries of Montenegro on the map

There are many temples, churches and monasteries in Montenegro, so in order not to get confused, it is advisable to use a map. All the monasteries of Montenegro are on the map, using it you can easily plot the optimal route and at the same time save time.