XII. Посещение В. К. Константина Константиновича с Августейшей Семьей. – Освящение соборного храма. – 50-летний юбилей игуменьи Евфросинии. – Болезнь ее и кончина. – Заключение

The Kazan Ambrosievskaya Hermitage, in the same year, was repeatedly honored with a visit from Their Imperial Highnesses Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich and the August Family. These visits, distinguished by the simplicity, ease and warmth of the Distinguished Visitors, left an indelible memory. The Grand Duke himself, who visited Elder Ambrose in 1887, retained a living and reverent memory of him, and therefore treated the monastery he created so favorably and warmly. They also showed touching attentiveness to Mother Abbess, who was deprived of her sight. They always came to the monastery easily, and each time they visited Mother, with whom they usually ate tea; Some of the nuns immediately gathered, and Their Highnesses honored everyone with gracious attention and conversation. How much animation and carefree gaiety the August Children brought with them, vying with each other to share their, completely new to them, impressions of the pleasures of simple village life. Church in honor of the Dormition of the Mother of God on the Rudnevsky farm The main monastery church in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God One day They arrived in Shamordino, accompanied by their senior teacher, dressed in simple village costumes: the Princess in a chintz sundress, shirt and apron, with a chintz scarf on her head, and the Princes in chintz shirts and cassette caps. Some nuns did not immediately recognize them, and this gave them great pleasure. Mother complemented the Princess’s outfit with several strands of simple glass beads, and gave the Princes tops with music, which were put into use right there in the hall. At the end of summer, Her Highness Grand Duchess Elizaveta Mavrikievna came to Pryski and, soon, the whole Family again visited the Shamordino Monastery. Her Highness charmed everyone with her friendliness and simplicity, and gave everyone her wonderful smile. In addition, They visited Rudnovo and the Tsarsky Forest. Upon his departure from the village. Pryskov and Their Highnesses always honored Mother Superior with replies to her congratulatory telegrams. The following year, 1902, the quite magnificent cathedral was completed. The internal structure of this majestic church is especially distinguished by the fact that the altar is not placed at the end of the church, as always, but at a distance from the eastern wall, as a result of which it is separated by a number of large frosted glasses inserted, as it were, into a white and gold iconostasis; Icons are written on the glass. In the altar part of the church there are two chapels, one in the name of St. Nicholas, and the other - sschmch. Ignatius the God-Bearer. Elder Ambrose especially revered this saint, and during his lifetime he appointed a chapel to be in his name. In addition, the Elder intended to make a chapel in the name of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” which would be accomplished over time, since this was what was in mind when the cathedral was built. The beautiful iconostasis is all gilded by the sisters themselves, and painting, carving and chased metal work were done in their own workshops. The consecration of this church, which had been under construction (after the resumption of work) for 7 years, was performed by His Eminence Veniamin on October 24, 1902. The weather was real autumn; rain and snow caused a lot of difficulties for the sisters. The day before, His Eminence Veniamin and the governor of the province, A. A. Ofrosimov, arrived from Kaluga. On the very day of the consecration the weather was dry and frosty, and nothing overshadowed the celebration. The sisters of the monastery were full of special feelings. The vast, shining golden church, which only belongs in the capital, stands on the very spot where 18 years ago the liturgy was first celebrated in a small modest community, and where more than once, in the silence of the night, the humble elder Ambrose offered his venerable prayers before the face of the Intercessor of all Christians. The words of the ever-memorable Philaret, Metropolitan, involuntarily came to mind. Moskovsky, said by him, in a fit of the same feelings, in the Lavra of St. Sergius: “... all this was here, only hidden by time, all this was here and now only, like a precious treasure, hidden in a precious ark...”. And it is remarkable that this colossal church was measured out and founded by Elder Ambrose himself, to whom the entire future of the monastery was clearly visible. At the end of the service, Vladyka addressed a welcoming speech to the benefactors, and then to Mother Abbess, blessing them with St. icons. The next day, His Eminence Veniamin completely consecrated the house church, in the name of B.M. “Assuage my sorrows,” built at the almshouse building. November 1903 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the monastic life of Mother Abbess Euphrosyne. By this time, at the request of His Eminence Veniamin of Kaluga, a golden pectoral cross was sent from His Majesty’s office, and this day was celebrated simply among those close and respectful of her. The modesty of this celebration could not have been more in keeping with the spirit of the event itself. In fact: fifty years of secret monastic life, spent among deeds and struggles known only to herself and the elder, in a word, fifty years of life alien to any ostentation, glory and high-profile deeds for the sake of vanity, had to be completed with a truly monastic day of prayer and the laying on of a new cross. There was no pomp, no speeches or greetings, but... a fervent prayer of thanksgiving was offered up to the Lord, who had preserved and done good for so many years. Majestic, adorned with two golden crosses, invested with power - it was still the same humble disciple of the Elder, obedient, ready for anything... But the crown for her long and sorrowful life was almost ready; Her bodily strength weakened, and she often talked about death. It was hard for her loving sisters to listen to this, and the conversation ended. Easter 1904 arrived. Mother, as usual, on the first day of the holiday visited the senior nuns and all the sick and weak. She directly told some of them that it was the last time she would see them, but, as always happens, these words were not given much meaning. The difficult monastic life, the deprivation of the Elder, sight, the labors and sorrows of the abbot undermined her strong body, and she apparently weakened, but she did not cease to force herself, doing all her business, and unforgettably attending church services. On Wednesday, St. Thomas' week, she, as usual, came to Matins, which she stood until the end, and then attended mass. That day she did not feel particularly well, but, nevertheless, on Thursday she went to Optina Pustyn. On the river The ferry to Zhizdra had not yet been delivered, and the crossing was by boat. Mother, tired, descending from the shore, sat down in the boat, and threw off her warm coat. Arriving at the monastery to visit Elder Joseph, she felt a strong chill. After talking with the Elder, she hurried home; She became ill and was forcibly taken to Shamordin, where they took her out of the carriage almost in their arms and put her to bed. The doctor was discharged and diagnosed the disease as lobar pneumonia. They let the benefactors know, who immediately arrived from Moscow. The patient, despite the fever and severe suffering, did not lose her memory and, in a barely audible voice, tried to console and encourage the crying sisters. The hope that Mother would recover was destroyed by the doctor’s statement that the situation was extremely dangerous. On Saturday evening, when everyone was at the all-night vigil, Mother began to speak to those sisters who remained with her, giving them her last, dying instructions. She said a few farewell words to each individual, and then urged everyone to remember their monastic duties. “Force yourself, sisters,” she said in an intermittent voice, obey the Elder in everything, honor and obey the boss; if you want your boss to be good to you, be good yourself and obedient to her. When making elections, rely on the Elder, and everything will be fine.” The benefactors arrived on Sunday; Mother was very happy with them, but could not say much. On Tuesday, she called one of the senior nuns and, handing her her treasured medallion with the portrait of the Elder, said: “I received this medallion from Father, and I always wore it on special occasions - take it now for yourself, and in difficult moments put it on yourself, since you will probably have to take my place,” and then she conveyed all her last orders regarding the funeral. From that day on, it became more difficult for Mother; pulmonary edema began. Every morning she received the Holy Mysteries. In the evening Mother kept asking if the hieromonk would come soon? We decided after 12 o’clock, without waiting for the morning, to introduce her again. The patient, while waiting, ordered one sister to read aloud the usual two chapters from the Apostle and a chapter of the Gospel. The first two chapters from the 1st Epistle to Thessalonians came in order, the contents of which could not have been more suitable to the life of the dying... “Never, in the words of caress, we came to you, below in the wine of covetousness, God is the witness... Neither seeking glory from a person, neither from you, nor from others... Byhom were quiet in the midst of you, as a milkmaid warms her children... Wishing to give you his soul, dearly beloved quickly... Remember, brethren, our labor and deed, who work night and day, preaching to you the gospel of God... Praying and comforting you, and testifying to you to walk worthy of God, who calls you to His kingdom and glory...” Tears choked the reader - these were, as it were, farewell words of the departing mother and mentor. When the reading of the Gospel ended, Mother, who had listened to everything attentively, crossed herself, thanked her sister and said: “Tomorrow, read this to me again.” The hieromonk came; Mother received the Holy Mysteries and asked him to read the funeral service, after which she thanked him for his efforts. From then on she seemed to be half asleep; the sisters sat at a distance. The night was warm, and in the hall where the dying woman lay, the windows were open. They rang for matins; Mother crossed herself. The everyday bell rang loudly in the pre-dawn silence. And here a deep mystery was taking place - here the breath of another unearthly existence was felt. Life was quietly burning out; grandeur and tranquility were imprinted on the face, which began to become covered with deathly pallor. At 5 o’clock in the morning, while the 6th hymn of the canon was being sung in the church, the soul of this ascetic of Christ left the earthly world and went on the “path of all the earth,” which she had been thinking about and for which she had been preparing all her life. This was on Wednesday, April 14th. On the third day, the 16th, her funeral service and burial took place. Many people gathered who loved and revered her. Priest s. Ozersky gave a brief but heartfelt speech in which he warmly outlined its significance for the monastery and for its visitors. Here is a brief history of the Shamordino monastery, serving as an instructive example of the fact that where and for what there is the will of God, everything will serve and contribute to its implementation, and no efforts to interfere or upset what has begun will be successful. In addition, the history of this monastery affirms in that comforting consciousness that people who pleased God, even after their departure, do not break the threads of communication with those who remained, and pray and help them. One nun asked Elder Joseph for his blessing to go and visit friends. The elder released the nun. During the afternoon rest, Fr. Joseph sees in reality that Father Fr. enters. Ambrose says: “She doesn’t need to go, tell her to stay.” Father Joseph sends for the nun and conveys to her what he saw. The nun with tears accepted this fatherly concern for her from the deceased Elder and remained at home. This incident strengthened everyone’s faith both in Elder Ambrose himself and in his successor, so obviously guided by his father and mentor. It is not in vain that the name of Elder Ambrose is on everyone’s lips in the monastery. They expect help from him in sorrows, all successes are attributed to his prayers, they entrust themselves and everything they have to his protection. Father is alive here, he is alive in the heart of every sister, and the faith is alive here that the monastery is still controlled by him. Church in honor of St. Ambrose of Optina