Shakhnovitch, M. M., Sonina, A. V., Kozhevnikova, Y “THE CAVE” ON THE YASHE-STREAM. ON THE QUESTION OF ОNE’S ASCETIC PRACTICE IN KARELIA. Proceedings of Petrozavodsk State University. 2021;43(4):8–16. DOI: 10.15393/uchz.art.2021.612


Archeology

“THE CAVE” ON THE YASHE-STREAM. ON THE QUESTION OF ОNE’S ASCETIC PRACTICE IN KARELIA

Shakhnovitch
M. M. 		Kola Science Center RAS
Sonina
A. V. 		Petrosavodsk State University
Kozhevnikova
Yu. N. 		National park “Vodlozersky”
Keywords:
Yashezersky Annunciation Monastery
Iona Yashezersky
life in caves
church archeology
lichenometric analysis
the Veps region		 Summary: In South Karelia there is a small Yashezersky Annunciation Monastery, founded in the XVI century by Saint Iona. Not far from it, on the bank of the Yashe-stream in 2013, an archaeological expedition of the National Museum of the Republic of Karelia examined an interesting unknown monument – a “cave” in a rock crevice. Analysis and interpretation of the object is difficult due to the lack of finds. Currently, the lichenometry is one of the most widely used methods available for dating the surface age of various substrata in geological research and for dating ancient stone structures. Based on the study of the growth of lichens on the stones, its construction dates back to the middle of the XVIII century or earlier. In the history of the late Medieval Orthodox monasteries of Karelia, there is evidence of the existence of a common tradition for the Orthodox world of monastic feats of life in cells-caves. They were also used for prayer by the persecuted supporters of the “old faith”. Therefore, the creators of the “cave” can be ascetic monks or local peasants-Old Believers. This is the first late Medieval monument of this type in Karelia, studied by a comprehensive scientific expedition.



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