The history of appearing of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Pustynki

Not far from Kovrov, only 10 km from it, there is a small settlement with a very interesting name – Pustynki. In this village is located a building of the Church of the Virgin Mary, which once was a part of the famous Pustynki monastery. The temple was erected in 1864 nearby the spring of Pustynki.  

There is a legend about appearing the Church of the Virgin Mary. It was founded by King Simeon who also founded the monastery of Pustynki.  He was a very religious man and honored his religion as it should, so that is why he decided to invest money in the construction of the monastery and the Church. The legend says that Simeon unexpectedly lost his sight. For some time he had prayed earnestly, but then he washed his blind eyes with water from the spring of Pustynki. And a miracle happened – the king recovered his sight. However, this was not the only miracle that happened after the recovery of his sight. Not far from the spring was growing a Linden tree, on which appeared the face of the Mother of God. Simeon thought that his recovery was the help of the Mother of God. And soon he erected a church dedicated to his “healer”. Not only the Orthodox but also the Catholics come to these lands to bow to the icon on the tree, to plunge in the spring and to pray in the Church. According to the legend, recoveries of believers have happened here more than once.

In the second half of the 19^th century on the territory of Pustynki monastery worked a dispensary and hospital, where everyone who needed was able to restore health.

During the Soviet period the Church of the Virgin Mary was not used for its intended purpose: the local authorities converted the Church into a bath-house. During another spree lightning struck in the temple, after this incident no one used the so-called bath. And later, in connection with these events, not to beshrew, the Church in the village of Pustynki was decided to blow up. Atheists treated ruthlessly to the rest of the buildings – they repeatedly tried to destroy nearly all the Church buildings, even allowed themselves to throw down the cross from the bell tower.

In 2003 after the reconstruction of Pustynki monastery the Church was also rebuilt. Almost all the buildings of the monastery were restored, first of all the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was renovated. 2005 was the year of a new rebirth of the Church, because on August 7, 2016 it was re-consecrated. Nowadays the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is working and open to all parishioners and tourists.  

The Church of the Virgin Mary is an architectural monument. Many tourists from different cities want to visit this region because on the territory of the village there is not only the Church, but also here is located the monastery with the healing spring and the face of the Virgin Mary on the tree. Travelers like to visit places where are as many attractions as possible to see much interesting and impressive at a time.