Savior Not Made by Hands hermitage, Orthodox monastery in Klykovo, Russia
The Savior Not Made by Hands hermitage is an Orthodox skete in the rural village of Klykovo, Kaluga Oblast, Russia, with a bell tower, residential buildings for monks, and a separate wing for a Schema nun. The complex sits within a wooded countryside setting and functions as a self-contained community dedicated to monastic life.
The hermitage was founded in 1829 and over the following decades became a point of religious life for Orthodox communities in the rural area around Kaluga. Like many monasteries in Russia, it went through closure and decline during the Soviet period before being revived in more recent times.
The name of the hermitage refers to an ancient Christian image of Christ said to have appeared on cloth without human hands. Visitors walking through the grounds can notice the simple wooden structures and the quiet rhythm of monastic life that marks this Orthodox community.
The hermitage sits in a remote village and is most easily reached by private car, as public transport options in the area are very limited. Because it is an active religious community, visitors should dress modestly and confirm access before making the trip.
The complex includes a dedicated space for a Schema nun, a woman who has taken the highest level of monastic vows and lives in a particularly withdrawn way. This role is rare even within Orthodox monasteries and gives the internal life of this community an unusual range of spiritual paths.
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