How to turn an abandoned church into a kindergarten or a brewery. How to Turn an Abandoned Church into a Kindergarten or Magic Bus Brewery in Alaska
All once lively, and later abandoned places are captivating in their own way and at the same time make hearts tremble with inexplicable fear. These pictures will allow you to verify the correct combination of the words "ghostly beauty."
We invite you to take an online walk through the places from which the blood freezes in the veins and horror creeps.
House on an island in Finland
A lonely building with gaping windows surrounded by trees compositionally captivates the eye, but do you want to go inside? This hut, by its very appearance, inspires inexpressible longing and makes you want to return to civilization as soon as possible.
Abandoned church... and parishioners. Netherlands
In this abandoned for unknown reasons, absolutely creepy Dutch temple with damp walls, time has stopped, and the few visitors will never get up from their seats again.
Methodist Church, Gary, Indiana, USA
The City Methodist Church, located in Gary, Indiana, is one of the Midwest's most famous and popular locations for filming indie films, videos, and photo shoots of all kinds. And this is, in general, not bad for a building that was abandoned in 1975 and slowly decaying.
Abandoned house on Lake Obersee, Germany
Lake Obersee with clear emerald water is located in Germany, in the east of Bavaria, in the Alps. This lonely dock raises a lot of questions and sadness.
Railway line, Taiwan
crumbling Railway passes through the cloud forest on Mount Tai Ping Shan, a popular desert region in northern Taiwan. The view is either fabulous, or for horror films.
Naval weapons test station, Makhachkala
The structure was built in 1939 on the traverse of Kaspiysk, almost 3 km from the coast. One of the workshops of the Dagdiesel plant was placed in it. But the building was operated for a short time - until 1966, and since then it has been inexorably destroyed by winds, sun and sea surf.
Flooded Church on Lake Reschen, Italy
Reshen is a reservoir of artificial origin. When it overflowed, it flooded the temple of the XIV century. Since then, only rare birds disturb the lonely tower.
Victorian Tree House, Florida, USA
The Victorian tree house in Florida was once part of a large residential complex. But the time came, and the house began to deteriorate, and they did not consider it necessary to repair it.
abandoned theater
The abandoned Orpheum Theater in New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA is an architectural treasure and a replica of the cultural life of the long gone 1920s.
"Magic Bus" in Alaska
This bus is numbered 142 abandoned by railroad builders in the snows of Alaska, extended the life of Christopher McCandless, a rebel against the civilization of consumption, by 4 months (his story is described in the film "In wild nature"). It was here that he starved to death after eating the last grains of rice.
Abandoned building corridor
Once a pompous building with a luxurious corridor now inspires fear and horror. Mysterious building - a kind of "Blue Mile » photographer Mattias Hacker, a hunter for such artifacts.
Spreepark, Berlin, Germany
It wasthe only amusement park in East Berlin in the 60s of the last century.But when the Berlin Wall fell, new parks appeared and the Spreepark was abandoned in 2001.
Blue spiral staircase in a European castle
The former grandeur of the once luxurious European castle and the flight of fantasy of the medieval architect who built it today are only a faint reflection - the dust of time, cracked walls and this sad blue staircase leading to nowhere.
Poveglia Island, Italy
Emperor Napoleon ordered that those who fell ill with the plague be transported to this island so that the healthy ones would not become infected. Later, the island began to serve for the isolation of the mentally ill.
Abandoned pier
There are a lot of such moorings abandoned by people on the waterways of the planet. Causes? But is it important?
Abandoned military shipyard Vallejo, California, USA
This shipyard during the years of both world wars was operated as a port for submarines. However, in the 1990s it was abandoned and later flooded.
Abandoned attraction, Chernobyl, Ukraine
The population from the Chernobyl zone contaminated with radiation was evacuated in 1986 after a man-made disaster at a nuclear power plant. Agree, this skeleton of a children's entertainment attraction with cars makes a depressing impression.
Petite Sentur, abandoned railway in Paris
The railway line was laid in the 19th century for military purposes. It was called Petite Santur (Small Belt). In the 1930s, the need for this infrastructure disappeared, although the development of the city continued and houses grew along the road.
Palace overgrown with grass, Poland
In 1910, this majestic palace was built as a residence for the Polish rulers. P Under the communist regime, the palace turned into an agricultural school, and then a shelter for mentally retarded children and adults.After the collapse of the USSR, the former palace was abandoned.
Floating forest, Sydney, Australia
The ship was launched in Britain in 1911. During World War II, Australia used it to transport supplies to American troops stationed in the Pacific. Then the ship worked hard in other fields until she was decommissioned and gave up moorings in the bay off Sydney.
These creepy pictures of abandoned places on our planet give us an idea of what this world would look like if people
50 most breathtaking abandoned places in the world
08:24 16 October 2016These creepy images of abandoned places on our planet give us an idea of what this world would look like if people left it.
A tree grows in an abandoned piano
Click on the pictures to enlarge the image.
UFO houses in Sanzhi, Taiwan
Also known as the Sanzhi Skeet Houses, a futuristic complex of 60 durable fiberglass UFO-shaped houses in Sanzhi County, Xinbei, Taiwan. An unrealized project of groups of companies under the patronage of the state of a complex of ultra-modern houses for the capital's rich.
Overgrown Palace, Poland
In 1910 this palace was built as a home for the Polish nobility. Under the communist regime, the palace became an agricultural technical school, and then a mental hospital. The building has been empty since the 1990s.
Jet Star Amusement Park, New Jersey, USA
These coasters remained in the Atlantic Ocean after Storm Sandy in 2013. They rusted for six months until they were dismantled.
Abandoned house in the forest
Church in Saint-Etienne, France
Abandoned church with dummies of parishioners, Netherlands
Puppet factory, Spain
tree sprouting through bike
Shipwrecks on a sandbar, Bermuda Triangle
Floating forest, Sydney, Australia
Cinema in Detroit, Michigan, USA
As Detroit deteriorated, many of its historic buildings were abandoned.
Shipyard in Vallejo, California, USA
The Mare Island Naval Shipyard served as a submarine port during both World Wars. In the 1990s, the building was abandoned and flooded.
House between two trees, Florida, USA
Titanic
The Titanic made its first and last voyage in April 1912. 73 years later, the largest ship in the early 20th century was found at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.
Circular railway, Paris, France
The Petite Ceinture railway was built in 1852 and ran between the main stations of Paris within the walls of the city. During its operation, it connected five city highways. Since 1934, the railway, as well as some of its stations, has been partially abandoned.
Spreepark, Berlin, Germany
In 1969, an amusement park with rides, cafes and green lawns was built on the banks of the Spree in the southeast of the city. After the unification of the two Berlins, the park lost its relevance and closed due to insufficient funding.
Library, Russia
Island house, Finland
Turquoise Canal, Venice, Italy
Like any other city, Venice has abandoned places. But there they look even more picturesque.
Stairway to nowhere, Pismo Beach, California, USA
Nara Dreamland Park, Japan
Nara Dreamland was built in 1961 as the Japanese answer to Disneyland and even included its own version of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Closed in 2006 due to low visitor numbers.
Abandoned Mining Road, Taiwan
abandoned pier
Bare footprints in an abandoned nuclear reactor
indoor water park
Elling, Lake Obersee, Germany
Abandoned administrative building in Italy
Methodist Church in Indiana, USA
Gary, Indiana, was founded in 1905 during the US steel boom. In the 1950s, over 200,000 people lived and worked in this city. After the fall of the dispute on steel, almost half of the city was empty.
Church in the snow, Canada
Blue spiral staircase in european castle
Soviet naval test station in Makhachkala, Russia
Church bell tower in frozen lake, Reschen, Italy
Lake Reschen is a reservoir in which several villages and a 14th-century church were flooded.
Glenwood Power Plant, New York, USA
This power plant, built in 1906, has long been outdated. After closing in 1968, it has been used as a location for filming thrillers and zombie films.
flooded mall
Train station in Canfranc, Spain
Canfranc is a small town located near the French border. In 1928, the largest and most beautiful railway station in the world at that time was opened here, which was called "sparkling gem modern".
In 1970, the railway bridge on the road to Canfranc was destroyed and the station was closed. The bridge was not restored, and the former "pearl of modernity" began to fall into disrepair.
abandoned theater
Car cemetery, Ardennes, Belgium
Many American soldiers on the Western Front during World War II purchased cars for personal use. When the war ended, it turned out that it was very expensive to send them home, and many cars remained here.
Attraction in Chernobyl, Ukraine
Abandoned hospital. Chernobyl, Ukraine
The city of Pripyat was deserted after the disaster in 1986 at the nearby Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Since then it has been empty and will remain empty for thousands of years.
City Hall Subway Station, New York, USA
City Hall Station was opened in 1904 and closed in 1945. Only 600 people a day used it when it was in operation.
Abandoned house in Virginia, USA
Poveglia Island, Italy
Poveglia is an island in the Venetian lagoon, which during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte became an insulator for victims of the plague, and later an asylum for the mentally ill.
Gulliver's Travels Park, Kawagushi, Japan
The park opened in 1997. Lasted only 10 years and was abandoned due to financial problems
Lighthouse on Aniva rock, Sakhalin, Russia
The Aniva lighthouse was established in 1939 by the Japanese (then this part of Sakhalin belonged to them) on a small rock Sivuchya, near the hard-to-reach rocky Cape Aniva. This area is replete with currents, frequent fogs, underwater rocky banks. The height of the tower is 31 meters, the height of light is 40 meters above sea level.
Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland
A castle located on a rocky island in the Loch Duich fjord in Scotland. One of the most romantic castles in Scotland, it is famous for its heather honey and interesting history. Filming took place in the castle: The Ghost Goes West (1935), Master Ballantrae (1953), Highlander (1986), Mio, My Mio (1987), The World Is Not Enough (1999) , A friend of the bride (2008).
Abandoned windmill, Ontario, Canada
Shicheng Underwater City, China
Hidden under the water of the Thousand Islands Lake in China is the underwater city of Shicheng City. The architecture of the city remained almost untouched, for which archaeologists called it the "time capsule". Shicheng or, as it is also called "Lion City", was founded more than 1339 years ago. During the construction of the hydroelectric power station in 1959, it was decided to flood the city.
Seaforts of Munsell, UK
In the shallow waters of the North Sea off the coast of Great Britain, abandoned air defense sea forts stand above the water. Their main tasks were to protect the large industrial centers of England from air attacks from the most vulnerable direction - from the sea - from the mouths of the Thames and Mersey rivers and to protect the approaches from the sea to London and Liverpool, respectively.
Christ from the Abyss, San Fruttoso, Italy
Statue of Jesus Christ, located at the bottom of the sea, in the bay of San Fruttuoso, near Genoa. The statue, about 2.5 meters high, was installed on August 22, 1954 at a depth of 17 meters. In addition, in different parts of the world there are several similar statues (both copies of the original and variations on its theme), also bearing the name "Christ from the Abyss".
Ryugyong Hotel, Pyongyang, North Korea
Now it is the largest and tallest building in Pyongyang and the DPRK as a whole. The hotel was supposed to open in June 1989, but construction problems and a lack of materials delayed the opening. The Japanese press estimated the amount spent on the construction at $750 million - 2% of North Korea's GDP. In 1992, due to lack of funding and the general economic crisis in the country, construction was stopped.
The main part of the tower was built, but windows, communications and equipment were not installed. The top of the building is of poor quality and may fall off. The current structure of the building cannot be used. The North Korean government is trying to attract $300 million in foreign investment to develop and build a new hotel design, but for now it has removed the long-term construction from maps and postage stamps.
See also 24 Sadly Peaceful Abandoned Places.
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In the last decade, adaptive architecture has become increasingly popular in Europe and the United States, thanks to which old buildings receive new life. Architects, engineers and designers explore environment, study the energy efficiency of buildings and interactive systems. One of the directions of this trend was the adaptation of abandoned churches and temples. The Village learned how to turn a building that used to be a place of worship into a kindergarten, library or concert venue.
Zwolle, The Netherlands
The Dominican church in the Dutch city of Zwolle, also known as the Brethren Church (Broerenkerk), has been empty for more than three decades - since 1982. In 2007, the Waanders company bought the building and decided to organize a large bookstore and cafe inside, while maintaining the original architecture of the Gothic church. The project was handled by Utrecht-based architects BK Architecten, while Norwegian craftsman Kjell Nupen restored the broken stained-glass windows. The general structure and interior of the monument remained intact. color scheme The interior was determined by the restrained style of the church, and the active organ remained the dominant feature of the entire interior space. Book galleries were placed on both sides of the nave, and the empty space was excluded from the shopping area to host concerts and charity events.
We wanted the reconstructed space to look modest and emphasize our respect for church architecture. Therefore, the floors of the book gallery are divided into wings, opening up the view of the vertical columns. The structures of the galleries are in no way connected with the engineering of the church, so that, if necessary, they can be completely removed without damaging the walls of the building.
Munster, Germany
The building of the 1962 modernist St. Sebastian Church in Münster was the visual focal point in the development of the entire area. The municipalities carried out the secularization of the land and transferred the monument to the ownership of the kindergarten. In 2013, the architectural group Bolles+Wilson completely redesigned the old building. The interior space of the church was divided into two levels for children of different age groups, the roof was covered with translucent modules, providing natural light and improving ventilation. A special coating was laid on the floor, which is usually used on sports fields. An extension was made to the church building with offices, a kitchen, a technical room and a room for parents, where they can wait for their child and watch him play from the observation room.
Buffalo, USA
In order to preserve the building of St. Vincent's Church, built back in 1926, the city authorities transferred it to Canisia College in Buffalo, which needed a cultural center. The main architectural solution in this project was sound-reflecting plates installed under the dome. Thanks to them, concerts can be held in the building. The authors of the church renovation project were awarded seven awards in the field of architecture and design, including the National AIA Honor Award for Interior Architecture.
Cologne, Germany
The ancient Romanesque church of Saint Columba was almost completely destroyed during World War II. The ruins became a memorable place for Cologne, in 1950 a chapel was erected there and a memorial square was laid out. In the early 1990s, the territory of the church was transferred to the museum of the Cologne diocese to house part of the exposition.
Swiss Peter Zumthor in 1997 took up the project of reconstruction of the church. He had to restore the old buildings and erect several new ones - for a large exhibition space. The architect chose gray brick to bring together the disparate fragments of the building. They were hand-made by the Danish master Peterson Tegle - he burned the finished bricks together with charcoal to give them a warm hue. Zumthor also complicated the brickwork by leaving holes in the façade to let diffused light in. The museum itself now consists of 16 separate exhibition spaces and a secret garden located in the middle of the building.
Pittsburgh, USA
Baptist Church and convent John in the Lawrenceville area of Pittsburgh were built at the beginning of the 20th century. Since the 1950s, the economic situation in the city has changed dramatically: several large factories were closed, which led to a large outflow of the population. In 1993, the diocese decided to close the church and monastery, as they could no longer be financially or socially supported. The old buildings were bought by developer Sean Casey for $191,200. This was the first time in American history that a diocese sold a religious institution for money.
The Pittsburgh Conservation Center designated the St. John's Complex as a Historic Landmark, so the building could not be demolished. In 2006, Sean Casey opened in former church brewery and restaurant. Legally, the owner of the building had every right to do this, as he left the interiors of the church intact. But the diocese reacted extremely aggressively to this decision, accusing Casey of desacralization. The diocese and the municipal conservation center have entered into an agreement: henceforth, every building sold by the diocese will be included in the National Register historical monuments, and any redevelopment project must be coordinated with the former ministers of the church.
The adaptation of the church in Lawrenceville is still one of the most controversial. Defenders of the project argue that the opening of the Brew Works brewery has improved the economic health of the area. 85 new jobs were created, real estate prices skyrocketed in the surrounding areas, and nearby residential complexes were instantly bought up by investors from New York.
KSENIA MALICH
art critic, employee of the State Hermitage
In Europe, examples of the adaptation of church buildings to new functions relate to monuments erected during the era of post-war reconstruction. Until the end of the 1960s, religious communities acted as an active customer, especially in those countries where the influence of Protestant confessions was strong. In the Netherlands, for example, about 1,500 churches and chapels were built in a couple of decades. But already in the early 1970s, the number of believers and parishioners began to decline. The colonies gained independence, the national composition of society changed. Hundreds of buildings, many of which have a conservation status as monuments of modernism, have fallen into disrepair. Practice shows that Protestants are willing to compromise: churches are being reconstructed for the needs of local social services and school centers. There are even rather tactless examples of cathedrals being converted into residential condominiums. For a Catholic parish to transfer to a secular organization the building in which the sacrament was performed, of course, is an almost unbearable measure.
There is something frighteningly beautiful about the ruins of these old abandoned churches, which were abandoned in their time for a variety of reasons. Some of them played an important historical role in times of war and civil unrest, while others became "victims" of a rapidly changing modern world. All these churches have long been abandoned and fallen into disrepair - however, even in this state, they remain amazingly beautiful.
1. Geamana, Romania
The Romanian village of Geamana was completely destroyed - flooded with runoff from a local open-pit copper mine. Today, the ruins of the village church rise above the expanse of poisonous red water.
2. Yaropolets, Russia
The Church of Our Lady of Kazan, now abandoned, was once the only two-domed church in Russia. It was built in his estate by Field Marshal Zakhar Chernyshev, Governor General of Moscow.
3. Caen, France
The most beautiful ruins of the ancient church of Saint Etienne can still be found in Caen, France. Both the church and most of the city were destroyed during the fighting in Normandy during World War II.
4. Rome, Italy
The ruins of the church of St. Bonaventure are located where the village of Monterano once stood. The village, along with its inhabitants, was burned down by soldiers of the French army during a brutal surprise attack at the end of the 18th century.
5. Detroit, Michigan
Detroit was once the tenth largest city in the United States, but due to a lack of jobs and high unemployment, an economic crisis began in Detroit, which ended in the bankruptcy of the city in 2013. Today, many buildings in Detroit are abandoned.
6. Ross Island, India
Ross Island, which is part of the Andaman Islands, was occupied by Great Britain during the Second World War and was used as a local center of power. In 1941, an earthquake on the island destroyed almost all the buildings, which is why Ross was eventually abandoned. Today, only ruins can be found in the overgrown jungle, reminiscent of the once luxurious buildings of the island.
7. Coimbra, Portugal
The Portuguese monastery of Santa Clara a Velha was built in the 14th century on the banks of the Mondego River in the city of Coimbra. Due to constant floods in the 17th century, the building was abandoned. Not so long ago, the monastery was completely reconstructed and is now open to tourists who can appreciate its former beauty.
8. Body, California
Bodie is one of those numerous towns where the Gold Rush once originated. Located in California, in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Bodie prospered only because gold was discovered nearby in 1876. However, as with all other Gold Rush towns, once the gold ran out, so did Bodie's prosperity. The decline of the city began at the dawn of the 20th century, and today Bodie is one of the many ghost towns, and only numerous abandoned buildings (including a wooden church) remind of its former splendor.
The unfinished church, as a reminder of what was never realized, is located in the town of St. George on the northeastern tip of Bermuda. Construction began in 1874, after the old church that stood on this site was destroyed by a storm. However, construction was soon stopped due to the decision to reconstruct the old church instead of building a new one. And in 1926, another storm destroyed most of what had been built. Today, these ruins are part of the territory declared by the object world heritage UNESCO.
10. Dumfries, Scotland
The picturesque ruins of the cathedral church are located in the vicinity of Dumfries. Built back in 1160, the church was abandoned at the beginning of the 18th century, but today the remains of the building are protected as an object of historical heritage and are open to tourists.
11. Gary, Indiana
The once prosperous capital of the steel industry of Indiana and, at the same time, the birthplace of Michael Jackson, the city of Gary has experienced a severe economic crisis. In just a few years, the city's population has declined by more than 25%, and, according to statistics for 2013, a third of all houses are abandoned, as well as many public buildings - including the Methodist church.
12. Ani, Türkiye
A long time ago, the city of Ani was the capital of the medieval Armenian (Ani) kingdom, located on the territory of modern Armenia and Eastern Turkey. In the period from 961 to 1045, the capital played a crucial role in the economy of the state, being located at the crossroads of many trade routes, and the buildings and structures that were erected in Ani were built using the most advanced technologies at that time in the world. At the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, Ani was finally abandoned, but the ruins of the once magnificent "City of 1001 Churches" still remain.
Amersfoort, in the central part of the Netherlands, 55 kilometers southeast of Amsterdam, is a typical Dutch town with neat houses, tidy streets and heavy car and bicycle traffic. The church in the name of St. Cornelius the centurion is located on a wide green street, not far from the station. The church building, rented by the community from the Old Catholics, is surrounded by luxurious mansions, which are mostly used as offices.The parish in Amersfoort was founded in 1983 by the priest Stefan Bakker, who is the pastor of the church to this day. During this time, the community had to change the place of worship eleven times.
“This is deadly for the parish,” Father Stefan told me. – That is why we plan to build in Amersfoort Orthodox church.
Reference . Protopresbyter Stefan Bakker was born into a non-religious family, but his parents sent him to study at a Protestant school. He converted to Orthodoxy at the age of 17. In 1969 he was ordained a deacon, in 1975 a priest. He served in Sint-Hubert, Deventer and Amsterdam. Then, with the blessing of the Archbishop of The Hague and the Netherlands, Jacob (Ackerdijk), he organized a parish in Amersfoort. In 1987, Father Stefan left the Moscow Patriarchate and transferred to the jurisdiction of Constantinople.
- The first time I visited Orthodox worship in Groningen, says Father Stefan. - I didn’t like it very much: crosses, a censer, people in vestments - too Catholic. But still, there was something else. I liked the atmosphere itself, especially when the parishioners got together after the service. The people were very open. I asked questions and, what amazed me, I got exhaustive answers to them. Then I was offered to sing in the choir. In general, they managed to interest me.
Why did a Dutchman who converted to Orthodoxy decide to take holy orders?
“They asked me about it,” Father Stefan answered simply. – Parishioners from Amsterdam wanted me to become their priest.
In a conversation with me, the priest spoke a lot about Dutch Orthodoxy, about the fact that the Orthodox faith should be open to the native inhabitants of the Netherlands.
“We've seen a not-so-good trend in the last ten years,” he says. “We see national groups planting “national” churches. A Serbian "island", a Romanian "island", a Bulgarian "island" appears, all of which are deepened into themselves. We are losing an essential part of Orthodoxy, we are taking a step back!
The multinational parish in Amersfoort is open to everyone: the rector does not need a new “island”. Services are celebrated in Dutch, although Father Stefan pronounces individual litanies in other languages (most often in Church Slavonic and Arabic). Sunday liturgies are attended, as a rule, by 40-50 people. The language feature of the parish is not only a recognition of the fact that it is located in the center of Holland, but also an expression of its missionary orientation.
“Yes, I am engaged in missionary work, because Christ calls us to preach the gospel,” Father Stefan emphasized. – How do I do it? First of all, you can only teach people by example. Therefore, my wife and I are very sincere in our lives. We teach our parishioners to be an example in the family, at work. It takes a lot of time, requires repetition. But if you want to build the Church—not a building, but the body of Christ—you must have sincere Christianity. Secondly, I establish contacts with Protestant colleges and universities, I come to them to talk about Orthodoxy. Thirdly, we take an active part in the religious life of Amersfoort. We participate in ecumenical activities as co-founders of the regional Council of Churches.
– Do you think that in this way it is possible to convey information about Orthodoxy to representatives of other faiths? I'm interested.
– It is quite possible and this, but our primary task is different. First of all, we must ensure that various heresies are not proclaimed in the name of the Church. If a sect or another Church makes a statement, we make sure that they do not speak in the name of the whole of Christianity ... In addition, we have extensive experience with Islam. We know more about him than university professors. We can explain a lot by opening people's eyes.
– Speaking of Islam, do you mean negative experience?
- Yes, there is one too. One of the components of our missionary work is a website on the Internet, through which everyone can ask questions. Muslims also ask questions, we answer them. The results are noticeable... So, one of the buildings that we rented earlier was painted with animal excrement. The second one was shot... If you study Islam, you cannot but admit that Muslims are our enemies. But Christ commands us to love our enemies! How to do it? This is the problem. For it is necessary to love not in theory, but in practice. Christianity is not a theory! Muslims come to us and we baptize them. Muslims fly to us from Egypt, because the local Christians are afraid to baptize them. We recently baptized three Muslims. From Amersfoort.
“But this can give rise to problems for themselves, complicate their relations with relatives,” I stress the “political correctness” so beloved in the West.
- Yes, I know. You can even talk about killings. But still, Muslims come and ask for baptism. You will not be afraid if you know who He is and what He has to offer.
« Yes, father, I’m probably right, ”I think. And frankly: few of the clergy are able to say that Muslims are enemies. We hear more often, especially in the West, peaceful discussions about "common roots" and "mutual respect." But mutual respect should not lead to the betrayal of the foundations of one's faith. It is clear that such a fundamental view of Islam provokes a harsh reaction from some of its representatives. They probably react the same way. orthodox christianity representatives of "liberal Holland" - feminists, sexual minorities. I ask Father Stefan a question. And I get a discouraging answer: “We have a very good homosexual. He sings in the choir." At these words, the father coughed heavily. Accidentally?
The Church is not against homosexuals. We do not know why they are so created. God is against practice.
“But this man doesn’t practice?”
“Ask him yourself.
“Did you never ask yourself?”
- What I know, I know from confession.
“Yes, this man is Orthodox,” Father Stefan confirmed once more. He is a good, active parishioner. And you will find such people in parishes in Deventer, Groningen. We have repentance, and we must teach people how to behave. This is a long process. If you kick a homosexual out, you will make a big mistake... You asked about feminists. We have very active Orthodox feminists. In general, we should seriously think about the role of women in the Church. I believe that a commission of experienced bishops should be created, which should make a definite decision. I don't know where their work will go, but I'm sure they have a lot of questions to answer. We are a living Church, not a museum.
I freeze in thought. What is it: a sincere desire for the Christian mission, as Father Stefan understands it, or the ineradicable influence of Dutch liberalism? When, already at the end of the meeting, the priest told me that he had twice appealed to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople with a request to consider the issue of “returning” (that’s right!) To the married episcopate, I thought that the priest was, perhaps, a liberal, and a conscious one at that. And it reminds the Soviet renovationists.
“Christianity is not dying in Europe,” Father Stefan is convinced. “The time has come for us to become saints and live the life of saints. You will see that people will turn to faith; albeit slowly, but they will. The commandment "Thou shalt not kill" is not a command, it is a prediction: "The time will come when you will no longer kill." IN Western Europe the third generation does not know what war is. And not long before that, we were killing each other every ten years. Yes, we export wars, but still the situation is improving.
"Here you go! And why is it better? I thought. They used to kill each other, but now they “help” kill others. There is some confusion.
In general, just as I hope that all Muslims will become moderate (the more the better!), I hope and pray that Christians will become fanatics. Fanatics in love. I once baptized an adult and said to him, “John, I hope this empty spot on the wall is for an icon. your icon." We are called to holiness. This is what I work and live for!
I left Father Stefan with mixed feelings. I was bribed by the sincerity of his missionary zeal and desire to burn in the good “fanaticism” of Christian love, but cats scratched my heart: “Orthodox” feminism, married episcopate… « For there must also be differences of opinion among you, so that those who are skillful among you will be revealed, ”wrote the apostle Paul. But where does dissent end and heresy begin?
However, I was grateful to Father Stefan for the fact that he directly and frankly said what he thought, without hypocrisy and without dodging.
Asten: an island of tranquility on Dutch soil
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Although public transport works well in the Netherlands, getting to the monastery is not easy: even in such a small country there are “abandoned” corners. From Eindhoven, I took the train to Dürn station, and from there the monastery car picked me up. For about half an hour we meandered along the village roads (albeit of excellent quality) and finally arrived at a beautiful estate surrounded by greenery. The monastery hotel turned out to be a neat, clean house - of course, with all the amenities, including hot water. At the meal, pilgrims and guests were seated together with the nuns: there was no separation, everyone had the same food. Lean, but tasty, with an abundance of vegetables and fruits. The hotel has a small kitchen for pilgrims - with a samovar, tea, coffee, jam and sweets: you definitely won't go hungry.
But at the morning service, starting here at 5 o'clock, it was hard. The nuns themselves served, without a priest (in a secular rank), and almost the entire service was conducted in Dutch. My consciousness, already accustomed to liturgical services in English, Greek, and partly French, almost did not perceive the sound of liturgical texts in Dutch. I got confused during the service, lost its thread, I began to feel sleepy. Although everything was decorous and reverent, but without a realistic understanding of what is being read and sung, I felt obvious discomfort.
“Yes, the main language of worship is Dutch,” Mother Superior Maria confirmed in a conversation with me. We are in Holland. Sometimes we use English if a particular part of the service is not translated into Dutch. Almost everything has been translated into English. Liturgy is served three times a week by Father Matthew (Arnold), who ministers to our monastery.
Reference . Mother Superior Maria was born in The Hague in 1944. At the age of 18 she was baptized in the Orthodox Church. At 21, she entered the Hague Monastery, where she spent seven years. Then mother lived in monasteries in Serbia (two years) and Greece (eleven years). In 1986 she returned to the Netherlands. In 1988, philanthropists purchased a farm estate in Asten for my mother, where she was able to move in January 1989. This year is considered official date Foundation of the monastery in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“Although I grew up in a non-believing family, I developed an interest in religion in my childhood, partly because I studied at a Protestant school,” says Abbess Maria. “I prayed to God to show me the true path. After all, a priest of any denomination - Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox - will claim that it is his faith that is the best. So I prayed that the Lord would give me special sign. God pointed me to Orthodox Church. Already at the age of 15 I knew that I would accept Orthodoxy as soon as possible. But I was baptized at 18: at this age you are independent enough to make your personal religious choice. And this is even more important when parents are against it.
“Since the age of 16 or 17, I have been thinking about monasticism,” Matushka continues. – But I came to the monastery at the age of 21: at this age you are free to manage your life. I didn't want to offend my parents. I cannot say that they approved of my choice, although, as free-thinking people, they fully agreed that everyone has the right to choose what he wants.
Mother settled in a monastery in The Hague. Then it was the only Orthodox monastery in all of Holland. But, having lived in The Hague for several years, the young novice realized that staying there for the rest of her life was not her calling. The fact that the monastery, located in the center of the city, was combined with the parish, also played a role, and the nuns worked in secular jobs.
“For me, it was not entirely acceptable,” says the abbess. “Still, I thought it was better for a nun not to go out into the world. Previously, I often visited the Lesnin Monastery in France and noticed a considerable difference between it and the Hague Monastery. I wanted to study the monastic tradition in an Orthodox country. Russia was then closed. I managed, albeit with great difficulty, to get to Serbia.
A couple of years later, in 1975, my mother moved to Greece, where she decided to stay forever. . But her fate was different. The prophetic words of St. Justin (Popovich), who announced to her in Serbia about the impending return to her native land, were fulfilled. Friends from Holland began to persuade the nun to come back to found a new Orthodox monastery. After much deliberation, having received the blessing of her confessor, abbess and bishop, Mother Mary returned to the Netherlands. “Go to your homeland and establish a monastery there,” they admonished her in Greece.- At first I lived in this big house alone in Asten, - says mother. “A priest would come here every two weeks to serve the Liturgy. Then the guests began to arrive. Finally, since 1993, the monastery began to replenish with novices and nuns of various nationalities. Now there are eight nuns in the monastery: three Dutch women, as well as a Greek, an American, a Swede, a Spanish Cypriot and an English Cypriot.
The fact that three native Dutch women (including the abbess herself) live in the monastery is remarkable in its own way. And even wonderful. After all, the adoption of monasticism is nonsense for the vast majority of the Dutch. It is characteristic that in many Catholic monasteries there have been no new novices for twenty years. The cloisters are dying one by one.
“In the Netherlands, monastic life is perceived as a phenomenon of the distant past,” matushka said bitterly.
Now the Asten Monastery lives a rather calm and measured life. The nuns work in the garden, watch the birds, sew clothes. In order to receive at least a small income (you have to pay for water, heating and electricity), the sisters make candles (about 20 thousand pieces a year), paint icons, and prepare books for printing. Of course, voluntary donations also come to the monastery.
- In general, we manage. Although everything is very expensive in Holland,” my mother remarked.
Five years ago, an event broke into the monastery like a whirlwind, slightly disturbing its measured life. The name of Mother Superior Mary was then on the lips of many, and even people far from the Church. "Nun in prison!" - they hurried to spread the "hot" news of the newspaper. What happened? Bird flu swept the country; tens of thousands of chickens used for industrial fattening were destroyed. Government inspectors took the bird from private property. They also reached Asten. Arriving at the monastery, the officials demanded that the next morning all the “living creatures” be placed in special cages. For removal and destruction.
But the abbess was firmly convinced that the epidemic (which had almost ceased by that time) had bypassed the monastery. The hens, according to the observations of the sisters, remained healthy, without showing the slightest sign of illness. And the affected areas were quite far from the monastery. Therefore, mother Maria refused the demands of the officials. Chickens are hidden. The inspectors left with nothing, and the abbess was escorted to prison, where she was subjected to a lengthy interrogation. And although many years have passed since then, I did not fail to touch on this topic in a conversation with my mother.
“The main thing in this story is not so much the chickens (we don’t eat meat after all), but the ethical moments,” said Mother Superior Maria. – Unfortunately, money in this country has become more important than morality. Yes, we can say, “Okay, let them kill animals,” but the same thing can happen to people! Let's take the life of a sick child: he costs society so dearly! That's the danger.
However, in Holland, I thought, they are already taking the life of sick people - under the plausible pretext of ending their suffering. Nobody is going to ban euthanasia, and there is no question of returning to more conservative (and Christian-oriented) legislation. Won't the state go further, trying to impose its understanding of morality on the Church? I asked the opinion of the abbess on this matter.
- In principle, such a danger exists. And in order for the state not to impose its will on the Church, there must be a clear division. Now in Holland the church is completely separated from the state. Personally, this situation suits me, - said the mother.
Indeed, in the Dutch conditions, the "solidity" of the Church with the state could cause significant damage to the Church. Fortunately, this is not the case. The government does not give the Orthodox a cent, but it does not require the blessing of same-sex "marriages." At least for now.
After talking with my mother and looking around the monastery, I managed to talk a little with Archimandrite Meletius (Webber), who was visiting here, a native Briton who converted to Orthodoxy more than 35 years ago. Father Melety, who came to Holland in 2005 (to work on new books), served in the Amsterdam parish. Fluent in Dutch, the Briton organically blended into the life of Dutch Orthodoxy. But, alas, only for a short time. Recently, the priest was appointed rector of the monastery of St. John of Shanghai in California (USA).
The next day, Abbess Maria, virtuoso and even masterfully driving a car (however, this is commonplace for the West), took me to Weert station. I returned again to the hustle and bustle of Dutch life.
“Come to us,” she said in parting. – You will work on your materials in peace and quiet.
Thanking my mother for her hospitality, I set off on my journey.
The fast train took me south. I was again driving to the provincial Maastricht, so beautifully located on the banks of the majestic Meuse River near the Belgian border. “Oh, how this city lacks the creativity, sincerity and openness of Fathers Sergius and Gregory, the prayerfulness of Mother Superior Maria and, perhaps, the missionary spirit of Father Stephen,” I thought when I again set foot on Maastricht land.
