In 1863, on October 8, the construction of a church began in the village of Borovsky, where regular services started in 1869. This six-year construction drew ridicule from the residents of neighboring villages, who wondered why the church was taking so long to build when others had completed theirs long ago. However, fate had other plans: during the revolutionary years, of the many churches in the surrounding areas, only the Borovskaya St. Nicholas Church survived. Perhaps it was this thoroughness that led the Lord to preserve it as the only stronghold of Orthodoxy across the entire expanse from Sverdlovsk to Shadrinsk during the Soviet period.
On festive days, from the bell tower, which overlooked the railway embankment, one could see streams of people walking from the train to the church. The first parishioners were already entering the church, while a line of people stretched one and a half kilometers from the station. Believers came from Kamensk-Uralsky, Sukhoi Log, Kamyshlov, Bogdanovich, Dalmatovo, and other nearby areas. God's providence is amazing: this simple village church not only remained intact but continued to function during the most difficult years. The choir was sung by nuns from devastated monasteries, such as Kolchedansky and Verkhtichensky.
When the time of persecution ended and churches began to be restored, the number of parishioners in the Borovsk church decreased. In 1989, a new rector, Father Alexander Nikulin, took charge of the parish, aiming to revive a full spiritual life. Father Alexander saw the need to create a strong church community. Inspired by the discovery of many holy sites, such as Diveyevo and Valaam, the future founders of the Borovsk monastery began to form a women's church community, where everything was shared: joys, sorrows, and cares.
The main goal of the first inhabitants was the salvation of the soul through prayer and monastic life. They were aided by the spiritual experience and teachings of Elder Hieromonk Pavel Chazov, the spiritual father of Father Alexander. Those who wanted to dedicate themselves to serving the Lord, leaving behind temporary concerns for eternal joys in God, came to the community. These aspirations and the spirit of prayer became the foundation of the monastery.
In a spiritual sense, the monastery can be compared to a garden, where under the Protection of the Mother of God, souls are nurtured. Many monasteries have their gardens, symbolizing the path of purification and growth in God. Weeds are pulled out, dry branches are pruned, and each flower and tree is given a suitable place. The same happens with the human soul, striving for spiritual growth. The Monastery of the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos has its garden, dedicated to the Heavenly Intercessor.
The garden was arranged simultaneously with the establishment of the monastery. The land was cleared of debris and weeds, and flowers and trees were brought from all over the Urals. In the center of the garden stands a wooden chapel built in the ancient Russian style, with an iconostasis made of vine. The daily service of the Mother of God’s rule is performed in the garden.
In 2000, the Borovsky monastery was granted the status of a monastery, and Sister Vassa became the abbess. Over seven years, the monastery grew significantly. Two chapels were added to the main church: in honor of the Holy Royal Martyrs and the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos. The Saturday of the fifth week of Great Lent became a feast for the monastery. Next to the stone church, a wooden baptismal church was built, where baptism is performed by full immersion.
The monastery has about forty sisters: two schemamonks, a nun, novices, and workers. Common monastic rules are observed: the Mother of God’s rule, processions, midnight office, and visits to the graves of deceased sisters. The monastery's clergy consists of three priests and a hierodeacon, and the Divine Liturgy is celebrated daily.
The monastery has a large estate: cattle and horse yards, gardens, a refectory, a guesthouse for pilgrims, an icon painting workshop, and a sewing workshop.
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