Returning home, travelers staying on the right bank of the river mouth Sviyagi. The place is holy Makariy chosen not only for the three-day holiday, but also for the device on the monastery. The area is located on a hill, protected on three sides of the mountain winds, like a high earth rampart. Sources of spring water in abundance of irrigated land, consecrated prayer Reverend Father.
  But Kazan Khan forbade them to remain in its territory, and a stranger had to seek another refuge. Finally they reached the limits of Galichsky land, staying in the city Unzhe. Local residents are happy to take Reverend Makarios, veneration and care surrounded him. But above all, seeking the kingdom of God (Mf. 6, 33), the great ascetic away from the city. In 15 away from him on the hill deserted place on the right bank of the river Unzhi holy Makariy built a cell. And again to the loving father pulled thirst for monastic life. Soon the monastery was built, but not long monk can enjoy bogomudrymi words and lives of the holy old man.
  At 95 years old July 25, 1444 Reverend Makariy went to the Lord. Dying, commanded the holy spiritual chadam "in memory of their deliverance from slavery agaryanskogo" to arrange a monastery on the bank of the river mouth Sviyagi, in the place which he himself has chosen and sanctified by prayer. But the monk could not at the same time, it is a testament to perform ...
  After the capture of Kazan благоверным king John V. Grozny around her light up the light of Christ. It is time to come the old testament. In the first half of XVII century on the steep bank of the river mouth Sviyagi came from the monastery Unzhenskoy Schemamonk Isaiah. By the time the Reverend Makariy Lika was glorified in the saints. And his icon, brought unzhenskim monks became banner, which started to assemble armies of Christ.
  Isaiah Schemamonk with devotion pray to God, knowing that prayer - the basis of the monastery. Residents of nearby villages have been pious monk special love and respect. And when the good ascetic away to the Lord above his tomb had pozlaschennuyu tomb. The library Makarevskoy desert kept the note, made at a prayer book: "In the summer of 7169 (1661) in December 10 days away servant of God, the monk shimnik Isaiah, the desert recluse Macaria Wonderworker at the mouth of the Sviyagi.
  The first church in the monastery was erected in the name of the Ascension of the Lord, in this great festival of Saint Makariy got freedom. Initially, the temple was wooden, and in 1691 it was replaced by stone. In the sacristy Makarevskoy desert kept holy corporal Voznesenskaya of the church, in 1703 signed Blessed Tikhon III Metropolitan Kazan and Sviyazhskim. In the refectory of the church had set a limit for the sake of Saint Makarios Zheltovodskogo. According to statements of the monasteries the diocese of Kazan in 1739 shows that in the desert, there was another church in the name of the holy Bogootets Joachim and Anna, were in the gate.
  In the monastery of Saint Makarios in 1693, under church discipline has been sent Arseny, Bishop Andrussky. He was for some priklyuchshayasya obstoyaniya "Most Holy Patriarch of Jerusalem Dosifeem II exclusion. Having lived the remainder of life in penance in the wilderness Makarevskoy, Bishop Arseny died April 14, 1706. He was buried at the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery, which was located in the Kazan Kremlin. At the request of the late Metropolitan Tikhon III allowed from the curse. Letter of authorization signed by the Patriarch of Constantinople, and eleven bishops is put in the coffin, as translated from the Greek language - in the sacristy of Metropolitan of Kazan.
  In 1764 came a decree on the secularization of church holdings. Makarevskaya Desert was not included either in the number of staff, nor even zashtatnyh monasteries. Its president Sviyazhskomu Virgin-Saints, and priests who have committed one by one church, as the monastery of St. Makar buried monkhood Sviyazhskih monasteries, both male and female. Near the desert is a cemetery where residents of the city bury Sviyazhsk. Start the cemetery belongs to the XVI century.
  Amvrosy Eminence, Archbishop of Kazan and Sviyazhsky, in 1796 began to ask the Holy Synod to Makarevskuyu deserts of the seven churches of Kazan diocese, left to its content. The case dragged. But in the 1798 swim in Kazan on the Volga Emperor Paul is like a beautiful location Makarevskoy monastery, and he expressed a desire for its re-establishment. Archbishop Amvrosy petition was approved, Sviyazhskaya podgorodnaya Makarevskaya desert made independently, and its contents were allocated to 300 rubles. Abode got put in "100 dessiatinas arable, under forest and meadow land."
  Resumed desert again subjected to the tests. In 1800 it burned all the cells. I tried to take away property pogoreltsev envious neighbors, "which was unpleasant to see the desert, though a bit secured monarshimi largesse." Enoch had been deprived of the enjoyment of their lands and fishing more than 11 years. Cattle sold, and the hut on the Animal Farm, moved to the desert and built out of cells. But they absorbed the fiery element in 1829.
  Grieving monks Lord gave consolation. The trial ended in favor of Makarevskoy desert. At the profit incurred by the people money in 1830, built the house in two floors. The ground floor made of stone and the ceiling - wooden. In the house were cells, a kitchen and refectory.
  In Makarevskoy desert nastoyatelstvo was first stroitelskoe, Metropolitan Tikhon III created here igumenstvo, following the resumption of the monastery for the management of the newly appointed builders. Under the decree of the Holy Synod in 1798 in the desert Saint Macaria be made: one builder, Hieromonk 2, ierodiakon 1 monk 1 and 2 of the novice.
  In the temple in the name of the Ascension of the Lord of worship ceased. Because, over time he came to the emergency condition, the wall choppy, and the relationship it exploded. By blessing Высокопреосвященнейшего Filaret, Archbishop of Kazan and Sviyazhskogo6, the resumption of the church began construction Hieromonk Anthony. Substantial donations to the charitable cause contributed NI Savrasov and Kazan landlord EA Lebedev. In the temple had 3 throne: on the second floor of a cold - in the name of the Ascension of the Lord, and on the first floor heat - in honor of the icon of the Mother of God «Joy» ( «Comfort») Vatopedskoy and in the name of Reverend Macaria Zheltovodskogo. When the church built a bell tower. New church dedicated in 1839.
  Archbishop Vladimir Kazan diocese after the administration wanted to settle in Makarevskoy the desert, so the monastery in 1847 by Bishop created the plan, under its supervision, the house was built in two floors. Funds were allocated from the House of Bishops. Guided the work of a builder Hieromonk Vitali (the former economy arkhierejskogo home).
  This concern for the beauty of desert is not stopped. In 1866 was consecrated the new church, a stone, warm, trehprestolnaya: high altar of Our Lady Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow", on the right side - in the name of Saint Athanasius the Great, Archbishop of Alexandria, on the left - in the name of all saints. He began to build its builder Hieromonk Martinian (Muratovsky), but in 1861 he was transferred to Irkutsk Voznesensky monastery. Construction Hieromonk Alexander. In this temple built building of two floors, downstairs sister arranged cells, and is located in the upper abbot.
  The new temple of the Holy Virgin in the year of consecration were donated landlady Likhachova 2 ancient icons: the image of the Savior and the Holy Mother of God "Tolgskaya. Icons, decorated with silver gilt rizami, hung on the pillars. In 1887, in a set of arches of the temple written icons dvunadesyatyh holidays, and in the church was done 36 sacred images. For heating the temple was built amosovskaya oven.
  Icons in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord were the ancient letters. Particularly esteemed two of them: Rev. Macaria Wonderworker brought shimonahom Isaiey (its well-silver Riza) and the Mother of God "Joy" ( "Comfort") Vatopedskaya (silver chasuble which was decorated with pearls and precious stones), brought from the holy Mount Athos.
  In the middle of the XIX century as a gift Makarevskoy desert of Athos was sent a large image of the Holy Martyr Panteleimon particle tselbonosnyh his relics, and the law on this evidence. " In Kazan diocese at that time anywhere else, it was not such a sanctuary. Therefore Bogomoltsa many flocked to her, asking for a healer health.
  Demetrius Rector hegumen not forget about the pilgrims. And in 1888, built hospice in attic. Wooden house, covered with iron, was equipped with everything necessary.
  A year later, instead of two houses in two floors, was built brick two-cabinet. It was a place for the 12 sister cells, and for the kitchen to the refectory.
In 1892 over a key source of water is a wooden chapel. In the days of the charter of the church put it committed cross passages and the consecration of the water occurred.
  Decoration of the monastery's bell in the belfry became poods 210. He acquired in 1894 as a means to the monastery, as well as for charitable contributions.
At the end of XIX century, derived from the treasury of arable land, forest and a grist mill. More Desert acquired at his own expense a forest, grassland and arable land.
At the same time lay down 111-meter stone fences, as necessary to protect the desert from landslides.
  In 1898, the rector Makarevskoy deserts became Hieromonk Seraph (Pavlinenko), subsequently hegumen. December 17, 1900 Preosvyaschenny Alex Bishop Chistopolsky, vicar of Kazan diocese, hegumen Серафиму handed rod. Handing him the lord Alex gave eloquent speech:

"Vsechestny father hegumen Seraphim!
In a sign of spiritual government, to which you are called upon today, handed you this baton. Remember, brother, that is like the Holy Prophet and leader of the Jewish people of Moses, and you still do not priemlesh rod from a man but from God himself, priemlesh to врученную you stick together with the symbol of brotherhood to sin of slavery in the country of spiritual freedom, to promised the kingdom of heaven. Remember that you do not give a rod of vlastitelstva secular, not the rod of anger and beats you to proudly rises above given you brothers or severely with it costing: No, this rod - a sign of fatherly care for your spiritual sons, the sign of patient care for the infirm brother sin , the sign of good governance delivered you ship monastery, the sign of true pastoral care of Christ and not a mercenary. Based on this rod, claimed brotherhood in their monastic zhitii, above all, his own example of a holy life, that day the Court could nepostydno you say to God: "Behold Al - hegumen unworthy, but my spiritual children, whom thou hast given me, O Lord . Amen.
  On Sunday, July 7, 1902 Desert visited holy righteous John of Kronstadt. There he served the Divine Liturgy, delivered a sermon. "From Sviyazhska and villages to learn by the end of the liturgy, filled the church." Father John, after a meal and blessed brothers and worshipers. Then went farther by boat down the Sviyage and on the Volga.
  In Makarevskoy the monastery in 1904, lived 37 people: and. e. prior Hieromonk Anthony (Chugunov), another 6 Hieromonk, 3 ierodiakon, 7 monks and 20 novices.
  The overthrow of the king and his killing was the result of Russia's retreat from the people of God. After the revolution of Orthodox monasteries were subjected to looting, desecration and destruction. New people or God, or conscience was no longer needed. In September of 1918, sacked Makarevskuyu Red Desert.
  In the Soviet period, from 1936 to 1986., In the buildings of the monastery was a sanatorium for children suffering from tuberculosis. During the Great Patriotic War, housed a hospital.
  By the end of XX century, what is left of the buildings once blagolepnoy desert, returned to the Church. There is a wall. The frames, doors, floors and roof were destroyed by fire in 1989 and claimed the "enterprising" people.
  1 May 1996, the governors of Holy Ascension Monastery Makarevskogo was appointed Hieromonk Filaret (Egorov). In the same year he resumed the prayers in the ancient Church of the Ascension of the Lord.
  In 2000, the Cathedral of the Holy New Russian ranked Archimandrite Sergius (Zaitsev), Archimandrite Alexander (Urodova), and the monk Leontiy (Karyagin), at the beginning of the twentieth century lived in Makarevskoy desert. Predstatelstvom celestial patrons, prayer and hard hegumen Gleba brother, charity and pilgrimage through ktitorov scold reborn relic.
In the underside of the mountain under the monastery in 2001, the efforts of L. Anisimova, put a wooden chapel in the name of Reverend Macaria Wonderworker. In the chapel arranged bath.
  In Voronezh, in 2003, at the expense of A. Pilishkin and firm "Lit Art", 10 cast bells. The new belfry every day for prayer calls on monks and pious pilgrims.
  Beautiful view Makarevskogo monastery resembles earthly stranger, looking at him, imperishable beauty of the celestial city (Otkr. 21, 10). And despite the fact that the narrow gate and narrow path leading to life (Mf.7, 13), not only in the old times, but in the XXI century there are people willing to "spend all their time, all the forces of body and soul at bogougozhdenie. Yes God will help him in his saving grace to go through the prayers of the Reverend Father Makary Zheltovodskogo, Unzhenskogo and Sviyazhskogo Wonderworker.
Hieromonk Vadim (Chinilkin)