Annunciation Monastery of Saint Jonah Yashezersky

The Annunciation Monastery of Saint Jonah Yashezersky is located on the western shore of Lake Yashezero and displays traditional Russian Orthodox architecture with elaborate gates and tower structures. The complex comprises several buildings arranged around a central area, each serving different functions for monastic life.

The monastery was founded in 1562 when Saint Jonah arrived with eight monks and built a wooden church dedicated to the Annunciation. This mid-16th-century origin established it as an important religious center in northwestern Russia.

The monastery community has long centered on the veneration of Saint Jonah and the exchange of sacred texts with visiting pilgrims who valued this place of worship. These traditions shaped how monks lived and worked together in this remote setting.

The monastery is accessible to visitors and is maintained by the Petrozavodsk Eparchy with regular Orthodox religious services held throughout the year. Visitors should be respectful of the active religious functions and follow any guidelines posted at the site.

Saint Jonah was a skilled craftsman who carved wooden vessels used in religious services with his own hands, blending practical skill with spiritual purpose. This integration of manual work and devotion became a defining feature of the community he established.