Abbess Dorofey (Kudryavtseva) — the first abbess of the Sukhotinsky Znamensky Convent

Abstract

In the history of spiritual care of women's monasteries in Russia, a special place belongs to the venerable elder Seraphim of Sarov (f1833). The women's communal monasteries he founded were known for the strictness of their rules and ascetic practices. From the pages of the "Lives of Domestic Ascetics of Piety" we see images of many ascetics, including Abbess Dorofey from the Znamensky Convent of the Tambov Diocese. The future Abbess Dorofey (in the world Vera Kudryavtseva) visited Elder Seraphim twice. The second time, just before the elder's death, novice Vera visited the venerable Seraphim again, whose instructions she retained in her memory for the rest of her life. She especially remembered the words: "Go and serve the lady, and strengthen the shore, the shore." By the lady she understood the Queen of Heaven and tried to serve Her to the best of her ability and understanding. Foreseeing the ascetic life of the future organizer, the elder blessed her to wear iron chains, which, according to the testimony of the mothers, were kept in a wooden chest and passed on to the next abbesses of the monastery, and a hair shirt, which, according to her verbal will, was placed in the coffin with her at Mother Dorofea's burial. They also often saw that the chains and hair shirt, by order of Abbess Dorofea, were "placed from time to time" on sick sisters or on those who had fallen into some temptation, and they felt noticeable relief after this. The true meaning of the elder's words was revealed only decades later. Meanwhile, in the neighborhood, in the Tambov district, on the banks of the Naru-Tambov River, a place for prayerful exploits and upcoming work on the establishment of the glorious Znamensky Sukhotinsky Convent was being prepared. The author of the article comes to the conclusion that the life of the Sukhotinsky Convent, through the efforts of Abbess Dorofey and her sisters, was an example and model for lay people who sought to follow the path of saving their souls and comprehending the depths of spiritual life.