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The Valdai Iversky Holy Mother of God Monastery is one of the centers of pilgrimage in the Novgorod region. The Orthodox monastic complex is located in a picturesque place 10 km from the city of Valdai, on Selvitsky Island, almost in the center of the holy Valdai Lake.

History

The construction of the monastery began in 1653 at the initiative of the Patriarch of Moscow Nikon, and the site was chosen in accordance with the vision that he saw. The first to be completed were the cathedral church of the Iberian icon and the church of St. Philip of Moscow. Almost a year later Nikon visited the monastery under construction. The surrounding Valdai posad ordered to rename the village to Bogoroditskoye and consecrated the lake. So the monastery became the Bogoroditsky Svyatoozersky. At the same time, the new monastery acquired the relics of the miracle worker Jacob Borovichsky. The Assumption Cathedral of the monastery was completed in 1656.

In the first half of the 18th century, the Valdai Monastery fell into decay. Its property and land passed to the St. Petersburg Alexander Nevsky Monastery, which was under construction at that time. Even a large bell was  transported from Valdai, while the monastery was rapidly falling into decay. However,  according to the reform of 1764, the Iversky Monastery was assigned to the first class. The history of the monastery in the 20th century includes numerous transformations. In 1919 the complex became the Iberian labor artel, but in fact remained a monastic abode. In 1927, the monks were deprived of the miraculous icon, and the community ceased to exist. In the following Soviet years, the island housed a museum (historical, local history), various workshops, a home for the disabled of the Second World War (with accommodation and care), a local school for children with tuberculosis and, finally, a recreation center.

Present

The long-awaited return of the monastery of the Novgorod diocese took place only in 1991. A large-scale, painstaking restoration of the complex was completed in 2007. The Assumption Cathedral of the Iversky Monastery of Valdai was consecrated by the Patriarch of Moscow Alexy II in honor of the Icon of the Iverskaya Mother of God  - the main shrine of the monastery. Russian president was present at the ceremony.   

Currently, the monastery complex includes: the Iversky Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Refectory Church of the Epiphany, the Gate Churches of Michael the Archangel and Metropolitan Philip of Moscow, the Church of Jacob Borovichsky, the chapel with the tomb of the Panayevs, the tent-roofed bell tower, the viceroy and auxiliary towers, (Mikhailovskaya) tower.

There is a museum dedicated to the history of the holy place and Patriarch Nikon at the current monastery. Guided tours are organized in the monastery complex.

Services

Services in the monastery are held on a regular schedule. On weekdays,   from 7:00 to 9:00 and from 18:00 to 20:00; on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00. Baptism - on weekdays, Sundays, holidays - at 13:00. Wedding - by appointment, only on permitted days according to the church calendar. The full schedule and opening hours are available on the official website of the Iversky Monastery.