Planning a Day Trip
Planning a Day Trip
"Наppy are those who stay, from dawn till dawn, at the lowly Seraphim's in Diveyevo because the Mother of God, our Queen of Heaven, visits Diveyevo daily!" Venerable Seraphim of Sarov used to tell.
1
Attending and Praying at the Monastery Services
The monastery's church services begin at 5:30 am and end at approximately 8 pm. You are welcome to attend any of them: Divine Liturgy, Vigil and the Midnight Office, the Moliebens, Panikhidas, and the Holy Unction service.
1
Attending and Praying at the Monastery Services
The monastery's church services begin at 5:30 am and end at approximately 8 pm. You are welcome to attend any of them: Divine Liturgy, Vigil and the Midnight Office, the Moliebens, Panikhidas, and the Holy Unction service.
The morning monastic prayer rule is usually read from 5-30 to 7-30 am and includes morning prayers, the Matins and 12 Psalms with prostrations to the Savior, Most Holy Theotokos, all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven, all saints of Diveyevo and all the saints.

At 7 am, a prayer service with the Akathist to Venerable Seraphim of Sarov begins in front of his holy relics. On weekdays, the Akathist is served twice – at 1 pm and 2 pm.

At 8 am on weekdays, the Divine Liturgy is served. 15 minutes prior, a general confession begins with the private confessions heard right afterwards.

On weekends at 8 am, the Paraklesis service, or Intercessory prayer canon to the Mother of God, is served. On those days, the Liturgy begins at 9 am.

The Panikhida service is served daily, except Sundays, at the Kazan Cathedral at 10 am.

Evening service begins at 5 pm and ends approximately at 8 pm.

During each of the four fasting seasons, the monastery offers the Mystery of Holy Unction service weekly.
2
Taking a General Tour of the Monastery
In order to learn in greater detail about the Diveyevo Monastery, its history, holy relics and architecture, please stop by the Pilgrim Center and request a tour narrated by one the monastery's guides. The general tour takes you on a walk around the monastery and lasts for about an hour.

2
Taking a General Tour
of the Monastery
In order to learn in greater detail about the Diveyevo Monastery,
its history, holy relics and architecture,
please stop by the Pilgrim Center
and request a tour narrated by one the monastery's guides.
The general tour takes you on a walk around the monastery
and lasts for about an hour.
Walking tours for individuals or groups are offered between 9 am and 5 pm.

The general tour of the monastery loops around the monastery grounds, beginning at the Kazan Cathedral and going up to the Holy Kanavka. During the walk, a specially trained tour guide talks about the history, saints, and the relics of the Diveyevo monastery, as well as its architecture.

The tour "Venerable Seraphim of Sarov and Diveyevo Monastery" includes a visit to the permanent exhibit "Wondrous Diveyevo," where a tour guide offers insight into the life of Saint Seraphim of Sarov and Diveyevo monastery, a place founded due to the grace of God in this God-pleasing man.

The tour "Blessed saints of Diveyevo" begins at the memorial house of Blessed Paraskevi Ivanovna and ends at the gravesite of the blessed Diveyevo elders outside the altar of Trinity Cathedral.

The audio-visual tours "History of Diveyevo Monastery" and "Sarov: its past and present" are offered at the Pilgrim Center's auditorium. The tour guide's narration is supported by the video files presenting the historical photos of Diveyevo and Sarov in the 17th – 21st centuries, photos of icons and portraits, images of memorable events in the history of these two renowned monasteries.

The tour of the memorial house of Blessed Paraskevi of Diveyevo and the museum of the monastery's history during the 20th century. The museums hold rare exhibit items – personal belongings of the Diveyevo saints, antique icons, and the archival documents. The museum reproduced the interior of the cells of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov and Blessed Paraskevi Ivanovna, as well as rooms of the Hieromartyr Seraphim (Chichagov), Hegumenia Alexandra (Trakovskaya), and the Diveyevo sisters in expulsion.

The tours may be booked at the monastery's Pilgrim Center, by calling +7 831 344 34 45, or emailing gid@diveevo-palomnik.ru
3
Venerating
the Holy Relics
At the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery, the holy relics of Venerable Seraphim and seven Diveyevo saints are accessible for veneration.
3
Venerating the Holy Relics
At the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery, the holy relics of Venerable Seraphim and seven Diveyevo saints are accessible for veneration.
Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery holds the relics of Venerable Serafrim of Sarov, the venerable and blessed women of Diveyevo, and Venerable Confessor Matrona (Vlasova).

When we approach the holy relics, we find ourselves as if behind the threshold of times. The Diveyevo saints, in their eternal supplicatory prayers for us, stand in spirit before the Throne of God while their earthly remains provide comfort and consolation. They unite the earthly and heavenly Churches, bearing witness to the existence of the immortal soul and eternal life. The saints' relics are the source of joy to the faithful.

The holy relics of the Venerable Father Seraphim may be venerated at Trinity Cathedral daily between 8 am and 8 pm.

The holy relics of Blessed Pelagia, Paraskevi, Mary and Venerable Confessor Matrona of Diveyevo may be venerated at the Kazan Cathedral between 8 am and 5 pm.

The holy relics of Venerable Alexandra, Martha and Helen of Diveyevo may be venerated daily between 8 am and 5 pm at the church of the Nativity of Theotokos.
4
Visiting the Memorial House of Pasha
of Sarov
There is a special place in the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery where the spiritually abundant atmosphere of old Diveyevo is especially palpable. This place, preserved to this day by the grace of God, is the house where the Blessed Paraskevi once lived.
4
Visiting the Memorial House
of Pasha of Sarov

There is a special place in the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery where the spiritually abundant atmosphere of old Diveyevo is especially palpable. This place, preserved to this day by the grace of God, is the house where the Blessed Paraskevi once lived.
The museum holds the unique exhibits of personal belongings of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, Blessed Paraskevi Ivanovna and the Diveyevo sisters, the antique icons, and archival documents.

The museum is open for self-guided tours from noon till 3pm daily, and from 9 am to 4pm on Saturday.

Guided tours of the museum are held daily between 9 am and 5 pm. The tour guide will offer insight into the pre-revolutionary history of the Diveyevo monastery. The pilgrims will visit the real-life reproduction of the cells of Venerable Seraphim and Blessed Paraskevi Ivanovna.

The tours may be booked at the Pilgrim Center or by calling +7 831 344 34 45 or by email gid@diveevo-palomnik.ru
5
Visiting the Museum of the Monastery's History in the 20th century
Its recently opened exhibit offers insight into the lives of Diveyevo nuns and blessed elders, hierarchs and clergy after the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery's closing in 1927.
5
Visiting the Museum of the Monastery's History
in the 20th century

Its recently opened exhibit offers insight into the lives of Diveyevo nuns and blessed elders, hierarchs and clergy after the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery's closing in 1927.
The museum's exhibits inform visitors about the life of the Diveyevo clergy and sisters after the monastery was closed in 1927. Their personal belongings, the replica of the cells of the Hieromartyr Seraphim (Chichagov), Hegumenia Alexandra (Trakovskaya) and the memorial to the Diveyevo sisters are on view at the museum.

The museum is free of charge on Saturdays and during the state holidays between noon and 3 pm. The tours are conducted daily between 9 am and 5 pm.

The tours may be booked at the Pilgrim Center or by calling +7 831 344 34 45 or by email gid@diveevo-palomnik.ru
6
Taking a Dip
in the Holy Springs
A number of holy springs are located in the vicinity of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery. The springs, some age-old and some recent, have been renowned for their miraculous healing powers through the prayers of the saints they were dedicated to.
6
Taking a Dip
in the Holy Springs

A number of holy springs are located in the vicinity of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery.
The springs, some age-old and some recent, have been renowned for their miraculous healing powers through the prayers of the saints they were dedicated to.
The spring of Venerable Alexandra, revealed after her passing from under the river bank across from the Kazan Cathedral, is the nearest one to the monastery. It is believed that, after the dam was built in the beginning of 70s of the 20th century, the spring of Venerable Alexandra migrated to its current location.

Not too far from the spring of Venerable Alexandra, on the bank of the Vichkinza River, the ancient springs were known to exist. In modern times, one of them was dedicated to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.

Our Lady of Kazan spring is the most ancient spring known since the 16th century. According to the tradition, an icon of great size of Our Lady of Kazan has appeared above in the air. Thenceforward, it became known as the spring of Our Lady of Kazan and is considered holy. Two more springs, after the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon and after the icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness," were laid out and dedicated close by in the 21st century.

The spring of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov near the settlement Tsyganovka is the best-known and favorite spring among the faithful. It is located just within a few hundred meters from the hermitage of Father Seraphim. There was no spring at this location before. In the 1960s, the soldiers guarding a local military installation saw an elder in a white cloak hitting the earth with his staff. Immediately, three springs welled up. Later on, when the Satis River was impounded, the lake was formed there feeding from three springs. On July 5/18, 2009, a five meter-high wooden chapel, located by the spring, was dedicated to Venerable Seraphim of Sarov.

The spring's bathing houses are open daily from 5am to 10 pm.
7
Walking Along
the Holy Kanavka
Among all the holy sites of Diveyevo, the Holy Kanavka of the Most Holy Theotokos shines with an especially dazzling light. Located in the middle of the monastery, it is its heart, the prayerful and spiritual holy shrine of the fourth domain of the Mother of God.
7
Walking Along
the Holy Kanavka

Among all the holy sites of Diveyevo, the Holy Kanavka of the Most Holy Theotokos shines with an especially dazzling light. Located in the middle of the monastery, it is its heart, the prayerful and spiritual holy shrine of the fourth domain of the Mother of God.
The Holy Kanavka, dug out by the command of the Most Holy Theotokos, replicates the path She walked as She accepted the community for maidens as her domain. On the eve of Trinity Sunday in 1829, Venerable Seraphim broke grounds for the Kanavka's digging himself, and its construction then continued for four more years. Father used to say about Kanavka's significance and beneficial power: "Whoever walks this Kanavka with prayer and reads "Rejoice Oh Virgin Mother of God…" 150 times, then it will be like Athos, Jerusalem, and Kiev, altogether."

During the Soviet times, the buildings and monastery's cemetery inside the Kanavka were destroyed, the dike chopped off and the Kanavka filled, but the faithful kept walking prayerfully along the holy path. Since November of 1991, the sisters, headed by their Hegumenia, walk it daily in the evenings. On August 10, 1993, according to the Diveyevo tradition, on the feast of the icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness," the first cross procession walked along the Kanavka. Ever since, the cross procession passes over this holy walk after the late Divine Liturgy service on every major feast and during the Bright Week.

The restoration of the Kanavka began on August 10/23, 1997. The reconstruction project was developed by the specialists of the Moscow State Civil Engineering University led by the Professor Sergey Chernyshev. By the day of 100th anniversary of the canonization of Venerable Seraphim, July19/August 1, 2003, the Kanavka was dug out again. It was fully refurbished in 2004. The length of the Holy Kanavka by the dike axis is 775 meters. According to the Seraphim's commandment, its depth, width and the bank equals three arshin each way (2.15 m). There are veneration crosses in the beginning, middle and the end of Kanavka. The area inside it equals to 4.43 hectares. Two buildings, granary and the mechanically-operated water pump station, are the only ones preserved from the old monastery to this day.

The sisters walk the Kanavka daily after their evening meal. Everyone is welcome to join them in the procession. The procession begins at Trinity cathedral.
8
Work Volunteering
to the Glory of God
A volunteer work at the monastery is a unique kind of pilgrimage when a pilgrim not only spends time in prayer but also works on equal terms with its residents, all to the glory of God.
8
Work Volunteering
to the Glory of God

A volunteer work at the monastery is a unique kind of pilgrimage when a pilgrim not only spends time in prayer but also works on equal terms with its residents,
all to the glory of God.
Typically, the pilgrims arrive to the monastery for two or three days to join the monastics in prayer, have a Confession and the Communion. For longer stays, according to the rule of the church fathers, a daily obedience is to be assigned.

However, even those who arrive for just a day are capable of working an hour or two to the glory of God.

As a rule, the obedience handed out to the pilgrims is seasonal in nature. Help is always needed inside the churches, at the Holy Kanavka, at the bread drying facility, hostels and canteens, orchards and gardens.

Assisting the monasteries, especially women's, is the God-pleasing and edifying deed. One may read in "The Holy Fathers" by the Hierarch Ignatius Bryanchaninov how one holy father says to his novice that the one giving alms to the nuns receives a greater reward than the one assisting the blind, lame or the lepers.

Men and women wishing to labor at the monastery will need to have passport, money for their return journey, work clothes and shoes.

For the information regarding work obedience, stop by the Pilgrim's Center, call +7 831 344 24 66 or email palomnik.dm@yandex.ru
9
Dining Options at the Monastery
The monastery offers various dining options, from free meals at its refectory for pilgrims to buying food at one of its cafes.
9
Dining Options at the Monastery
The monastery offers various dining options, from free meals at its refectory
for pilgrims to buying food at one of its cafes.
The pilgrim's refectory serves free lunches from 11 am to 1 pm, and suppers from 8 pm to 9 pm.

The monastery offers café dining, serving tea, coffee, monastery baked goods, blinys, and hot meals. Tea kiosk, bliny café and a sit-down café are open from 9 am till 5 pm.

The operating hours for the canteen at the Pilgrim House are as follows -

from June 1 till August 31: 10 am – 2 pm and 4 pm – 9 pm. From September 1 till May 31 on weekdays it is open from 1 pm to 9 pm without a lunch break.

On average, lunch costs 250 rub, while a breakfast or supper – 200 rub.

The refectory accepts pre-fix menu for pilgrim groups, tel: +7 831 344 27 18.

10
The Monastery Etiquette
Traditionally, certain rules apply in the holy monastery,
including how the Orthodox faithful are supposed to dress and behave.

10
The Monastery Etiquette
Traditionally, certain rules apply in the holy monastery,
including how the Orthodox faithful are supposed to dress and behave.
The monastery is a special place. The pilgrims traveling to the holy places are supposed to accept the rules of the monastic living. Upon arriving to the monastery, it is necessary to leave your sinful habits and tastes: drinking, smoking, swearing, etc.

Women are to be dressed properly in clothing below the knee, with their chest, hands and head covered. Men are deemed inadmissible if dressed in shorts, short pants, or a sleeveless shirt.

The pilgrims must strictly follow the monastery's routine, such as abstain from going outside of their places of stay during the night and keep prayerful silence. It is advisable to act modestly and peacefully, trying not to break the monastery rules.

The territory of the monastery is open to visitors beginning at 5 am.