leadwood tree safari lodge 695 hoedspruit wildlife estate

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Leadwood Tree Safari Lodge

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About Leadwood Tree Safari Lodge

Leadwood Tree Safari Lodge(Commonly Shortened to Leadwood Lodge by our regular returning guests) offers 4 comfortable self-catering accommodation in upmarket, bush-style lodges situated in a tranquil area of the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, where plains game such as Impala, Kudu, Wilderbees, Giraffe, Nyala, Waterbuck and much more roam freely between houses and the wilderness area.A NEW Communal Pool BOASTS superb views over the riverbed and the sunset views are just memorable !River Lodge 1 is a spacious 2-bedroom unit. Both rooms have king-size beds. Each have their own ful

Leadwood Tree Safari Lodge(Commonly Shortened to Leadwood Lodge by our regular returning guests) offers 4 comfortable self-catering accommodation in upmarket, bush-style lodges situated in a tranquil area of the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, where plains game such as Impala, Kudu, Wilderbees, Giraffe, Nyala, Waterbuck and much more roam freely between houses and the wilderness area. A NEW Communal Pool BOASTS superb views over the riverbed and the sunset views are just memorable ! River Lodge 1 is a spacious 2-bedroom unit. Both rooms have king-size beds. Each have their own full en-suite bathrooms and unique outdoor private showers. A fully equipped kitchen, lounge with flat screen Smart TV, full DStv and Wi-Fi. The lounge opens up to an open air under cover dining area over looking a boma braai and exclusive use of the private swimming pool. Bush Lodge Chalet 2 is a 1 bedroom unit with a king-size bed, en-suite bathroom fitted with a shower and his and hers basins.A fully equipped kitchenette, open living area with a double sleeper couch, TV, full DStv, Wi-Fi and open air under cover seated patio area with a braai/barbeque. Lovely views of the surrounding bushveld Tamboti Lodge 3 is a self-catering lodge comprising of a 1 bedroom, a queen-size bed,as well as a single bed for an extra person inside the room, desk, fan and a private en-suite bathroom with a shower, basin and toilet. There is a small kitchenette fitted with a fridge, microwave, small cooker, crockery and cutlery,open to a small but cosy lounge with TV offering Netflix and Wi-Fi . There is a built-in braai with a seated dining area outside. This lodge has exquisite views over the dry riverbed,and calming views of the large communal pool area. Lodge 4 is a bachelor studio with a double bed, en-suite bathroom fitted with a shower. There is a small kitchenette as well as a TV with full DStv and Wi-Fi is available. The outdoor seated patio area has a braai,over looking the picturesque bushveld. Fish Eagle dam is located nearby, and the estate offers bird watching opportunities, game drive routes, and cycling and hiking routes throughout. Horse trails can be arranged through African Dream Horse Safaris for those who wish to experience game viewing with a difference. Kruger National Park is situated approximately an hour away. Make a day of exploring the Panarama Route, go for a boat cruise on the Blyde Dam or explore the water falls (in season)and not to mention many other attractions surrounding this superb Safari Town of Hoedspruit. Open Vehicle Game Drive Safaris can be arranged upon request .Visit the Kruger park for this unique experience with a qualified guide /tracker .Choose between half or full day excursions, refreshments included ,park fees and sundries of personal nature Breakfasts may be arranged upon request . TAKE A BREAK,BOOK NOW AND LIVE AT ONE WITH NATURE !

Safari: A Wildlife safari lodge nestled in the exclusive area of Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate.Game roam freely,Guests can enjoy self guided nature walks,cycle routes or self drive game drives though the wilderness areas.

Family friendly: Our self cater lodge is family friendly,encompassing the value of nature,wide open spaces,appreciation of wildlife and birdlife .

Romantic: Romantic and at one with nature !

Covid Safety Approved: Our self cater lodges have been Approved legally permitted to accommodate Essential / Business Travellers ! All have been disinfected , cleaned and prepared according to strict hygiene standards before and after .

Availability and Pricing

Select dates (your dates are available ), bed details, accommodates, room details, room facilities, important information.

A breakage deposit of R1000 (for stays of 7 days and longer)is required on the date of booking. This will be paid back within 7 days, provided that all property is left in the same condition as you received it and after a full inspection has been conducted. Strictly no smoking is permitted inside the lodge. No cigarette butts are NOT to be left in the surrounding bushveld. They are to be thrown away in the dustbin provided in the kitchen. All lodge occupants will abide by the rules and regulations set by the lodge owners and by the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate at all times. Right of admission is reserved. The owners of the lodge, the staff, booking agents and the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate will not be liable, nor responsible for any loss or damage to property or guests whatsoever.

Guest Reviews

• Airport Shuttle
• Laundry Facilities*
• Braai/Barbecue
• Swimming Pool
• Satellite TV*
• Credit Card Facilities
• Parking on Premises
• Central location
• Iron and board
• Non smoking rooms
• Pets Not Allowed
• Special offers

Languages Spoken

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Leadwood tree safari lodge,self-catering,hoedspruit, valley of the olifants, limpopo province, north eastern region, bush escapes, kruger surrounds, mpumalanga, south africa, sadc, africa, world, leadwood tree safari lodge(commonly shortened to leadwood lodge by our regular returning guests) offers 4 comfortable self-catering accommodation in.

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Leadwood Lodge 695  Verified Listing

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Member since: 21 Feb. 2017

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Bush lodge 1   from r895 /night.

Sleeps 4 people, 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom. 130 m 2

Bush Lodge 1.A lovely yet stylish 1 bedroom lodge with ... a comfy Queen bed, en-suite bathroom. Fully equipped kitchen, living area with a double sleeper couch accommodating 2 extra guests.Full DSTV, Netflix ,Wifi.Seated patio area with barbeque/ braai Area. Read more

Rate Basis: Self catering (no meals included)

Tamboti Lodge 4   From R765 /night

Sleeps 4 people, 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom. 40 m 2

Tamboti Lodge 4. A rustic,natural 1 bedroom lodge.Comfy double bed ... and a bunk(2 single beds stacked) in the same room. Small open plan seated area with full self contained kitchenette.NetFlix T.V. and Wifi.Outside seated area with Barbeque/Braai area. Read more

Bush Lodge 2   From R765 /night

Sleeps 3 people, 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom. 40 m 2

A neat and quaint 1 Bedroom which boasts ... a comfy built in double bed ,en-suite bathroom. It has a lovely small lounge area. Full DSTV, Netflix, WiFi Full equipped kitchenette. Outdoor seated patio area with Barbeque/Braai area. Read more

Bush Lodge 3   From R765 /night

Sleeps 2 people, 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom. 40 m 2

Bush Lodge 3.A large Studio style lodge .Comfy Twin Beds ... with dress table and cupboard,en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower. Full self contained kitchenette.NetFlix T.V. Wifi. Outside seated patio area with Barbeque/braai area. Read more

Leadwood Lodge offers 4 comfortable self-catering, upmarket, bush-style lodges situated in the tranquil area of the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, where plains game such as Impala, Kudu, Wilderbees, Giraffe, Nyala, Waterbuck and much more roam freely between houses and the wilderness area. The communal pool boasts superb sunset views over the riverbed.

River Lodge 1 is a spacious 2-bedroom unit. Both rooms have king beds and their own full en-suite bathrooms with unique outdoor private showers. This lodge has a fully equipped kitchen, a lounge with a flat-screen TV, full DStv and Wi-Fi. The lounge opens up to an open air under cover dining area over looking a boma braai and the private swimming pool.

Bush Lodge Chalet 2 has 2 bedrooms, one with a king bed and the other with a queen bed, each with a full en-suite bathroom. This lodge has a fully equipped kitchenette, an open living area with a double sleeper couch which is suitable for children, a TV, full DStv, Wi-Fi and an open-air under-cover seated patio area with a braai facilities. This lodge offers lovely views of the surrounding bushveld.

Tamboti Lodge 3 is a self-catering lodge comprising of a 1 bedroom witha queen bed, a single bed for an extra person and an en-suite bathroom with a shower, basin and toilet. There is a small kitchenette fitted with a fridge, microwave, small cooker, crockery and cutlery, which opens to a small, cosy lounge with a TV with Netflix, and Wi-Fi. There is a built-in braai with a seated dining area outside. This lodge has exquisite views over the dry riverbed.

Bush Lodge 4 is a comfortable, quaint lodge with a double bed and an en-suite bathroom with a shower. The lodge has a fully-equipped kitchenette, a lounge area with a flat-screen TV, Netflix, and Wi-Fi, and an outside open-air covered seated area with braai facilities.

Fish Eagle dam is located nearby, and the estate offers bird watching opportunities, game drive routes, and cycling and hiking routes throughout. Horse trails can be arranged through African Dream Horse Safaris for those who wish to experience game viewing with a difference. Kruger National Park is situated approximately an hour away and nearby guests can explore the Panarama Route or go for a boat cruise on the Blyde Dam. Open Vehicle Game Drive Safaris at Kruger Park can be arranged upon request for a unique experience with a qualified guide/tracker. Choose between half or full day excursions with refreshments included. Alternatively, guests can book a morning or afternoon drive in the big 5 reserve within the neighboring reserve.

Bush Lodge Chalet 1 has a double queen bed en-suite bathroom. This lodge has a fully equipped kitchen.A large open living area with a double sleeper couch which is suitable for children.Flat screen TV, full DStv, Wi-Fi and an open-air under-cover seated patio area with a braai facilities. This lodge offers lovely views of the surrounding bushveld.

BOOK BUSH LODGE 1 TOGETHER WITH BUSH LODGE 3 TO OPEN UP AND FORM A 2 BEDROOM , 2 BATHROOM FAMILY VILLA.

Bush Lodge 2 is a comfortable quaint lodge with a double bed , and fresh clean linen en-suite bathroom. The lounge area has a flat-screen T.V with Netflix viewing and WIFI. A fully equipped kitchenette. An outside open air covered seated area with barbeque/braai facilities.

Bush Lodge 3 A Bachelor/studio style and is suited to accommodate 2 to 3 guests. It features a double bed, (a Single sleeper can be added) .an en-suite bathroom, and his and hers basins. Enjoy an "open air" outdoor shower. There is also a desk/dressing table, clothes wardrobe and WiFi. A small but fully equipped kitchenette fitted with a bar fridge, microwave and a 2 plate cooker is available. There is also a seated outdoor patio area with an outside braai.,Under cover seated patio area.

Bush Lodge 4 Tamboti Bush Lodge 4 a small ,rustic unit that has a comfortable double bed and a bunk bed in the same room .En-suite bathroom with a small lounge and fully equipped kitchenette. Netflix T.V. and WifI. exterior seated area and braai/barbeque area.Use of Communal pool with exquisite views that over look the riverbed.

Hoedspruit is known for the Wildlife Haven that is, beautiful bushveld, Hundreds of bird species and great game viewing. Amazing Attractions nearby

Free secure parking Free WIFI ,Full DSTV and or Netflix Complimentary Tea,coffee,sugar and milk Large Communal Pool on Riverbed Self Drive Game Drives Self game walks Big 5 Game Drives can be arranged Kruger Park Trips can be arranged Panorama Trips can be arranged

African Dream Horse Safaris Hoedspruit Reptile Park Jessica the World Famous Hippo Giant Baobab Tree Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre Elephant Interaction at Kapama Panorama Route,Blyde Canyon,Potholes,Zip lining etc Blyde Adventure Centre Boat trips ,Quad Biking Etc Kruger National Park Nyani Cultural Village Tour plus Dancing and Meals

Please first select your dates, rooms and guest number

I highly recommend Leadwood Lodge 695 for an unforgettable getaway. The proximity to wildlife provides a unique and immersive experience, complemented by the mesmerising sounds of the night. The accommodation is not only clean but also offers a perfect blend of comfort and tranquillity. Tammy, our host's friendliness and helpfulness added a personal touch to the stay. If you appreciate nature, serenity, and warm hospitality, Leadwood Lodge 695 is the ideal destination.

Very convenient stay. will use it again.

Lovely and peaceful. We stayed 2 nights and we saw so much - birding and animals. Pool, overlooking river was wonderful after a long run through the nature area. Tammy was so friendly and helpful.

Truly a lovely place, and Tammy made us feel so welcome it was hard to leave! Very highly recommended!

Tammy was an excellent host. We founded our stay very enjoyable..

I stayed in Tambotie 5 for 5 nights and it was great. It is a very beautiful place, at the far end of the wildlife estate. The house is located on a drainage line, I heard leopard hyaena and lots of birds during the night. I had to work during the day, the wifi was perfect and it was amazing to sit outside, have giraffes feeding on trees while being in zoom calls. The pool was clean, the room was clean and the owners are very friendly and helpful :) ​I really enjoyed staying at the lodge

The house was the description in the advert. Clean and well equiped with everything your would need. Great communications with Tammy. Lovely area to stay in with your own self drive around estate and with Kruger on your doorstep. Would recommend highly, great place to stay. Will be back!!!

Tranquil , natural beauty in the surroundings of the Bushveld.. ... so lovely to see so many wild game roam between the lodges, such as giraffe, zebra, waterbuck ( in the river bed ). Abundance of bird species ... Wentbon lovely bush walks . ... Tammy was so helpful and friendly ... would highly recommend this self cater lodge.. Definitely will return in the near future!!

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Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate Reviews

Visited African Flair Boutique Safari Lodge Hat and Creek restaurant Area is so beautiful Well taken care of

Peaceful location Great stay into African Flair Lodge Position close to blyde canyon, kruger park and many other great point

Best lodge in Hoedspruit Wildlife estate.More private,safe and beautiful.You won't regret staying African flair Boutique safari lodge.

Nearby Attractions & Landmarks

African Ivory Route

Limited February 2019 Special!

Leadwood Tree Safari Lodge

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Reviews we perform checks on reviews. tripadvisor’s approach to reviews before posting, each tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. if the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. when the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . learn more about our review moderation..

• Excellent 22
• Very Good 11
• All languages ( 39 )
• English ( 37 )
• German ( 2 )

" Setting in a bushveld, peaceful "

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LEADWOOD TREE SAFARI LODGE - Updated 2024 Prices (South Africa/Hoedspruit)

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House rules.

No swimming is allowed this winter season due to maintenance and repairs. Furniture upgrades are being implemented so photos may differ. All guests are to adhere to the house rules and regulations at all times and that of the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate. No loud noise, no loud music and no parties are allowed. There is a strict speed limit of 40 km per hour at and around the estate. Guests must respect other guests, neighbours and all wild animals at all times No feeding of wild animals is allowed. No driving through the wilderness area between 10 pm and 5 am is allowed. No open fires are allowed. Fines will be implemented to guests who do not adhere to all rules. The establishment states that no claims of whatsoever nature shall rise against the establishment, its owners, and all staff for any loss, theft damage or personal damage for any reason or matter. This also applies to the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate.

Cancellation Policy - Moderate

• Capacity: 13 people
• Check-in: 14:00 to 21:00 Check-out: 10:00
• Address:  695 Hardekool Straat, Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, Hoedspruit, 1380, Limpopo
• All ages welcome

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Just in case you mistakenly heard that it was all ice and snow in Russia, take a peek at the Big Bikini Exposition. This is right on the river Moskva in Moscow!Moscow has been the capital of Russia for almost its entire history. The exception is during the period of the Russian Empire, which lasted from 1721 until the Russian Revolution 1917. For these two centuries the capital was St. Petersburg. The Russian Empire was the second largest contiguous Empire in world memory; only the Mongol Empire had been greater.Check out what's happening north of Mongolia these days, in ChitaAlthough you may not have heard of Sochi, on the Black Sea, they're building up quickly and hope to host the 2014 Olympics.Other periods of Russian history include the Tsardom of Russia, from Ivan IV to Peter the Great, and the Grand Duchy (14th-16th centuries).The earliest period of Russian history was ruled by the Novgorod Republic and Kievan Rus, which was the first Russian state dating back to 800AD in Kiev.Modern Russia remains one of the world's superpowers. They launched the earth's second satellite, called Sputnik 1, and were the first country to put a human being into orbit around earth. (The first one is called the Moon.)After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia became a federal republic of 83 states.Text by Steve Smith.

Leadwood Tree Safari Lodge

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Reviews we perform checks on reviews. tripadvisor’s approach to reviews before posting, each tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. if the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. when the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . learn more about our review moderation..

• Excellent 22
• Very Good 11
• All languages ( 39 )
• English ( 37 )
• German ( 2 )

" Setting in a bushveld, peaceful "

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LEADWOOD TREE SAFARI LODGE (AU$84): 2024 Prices & Reviews (Hoedspruit, South Africa) - Photos of Lodge - Tripadvisor

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Top choice in The Urals

Perm-36 (officially known as the Memorial complex of political repressions), located some 125km east of Perm, was a labour camp for dissidents from 1946 to 1987. In 1994 it became a museum complex run by the international human rights organisation Memorial, which was founded by the dissident Andrey Sakharov. It's one of the only remaining gulags in Russia and today acts as a museum, with exhibitions about the camp as well as changing displays that don't relate directly to life in the gulag.

It's a haunting site, isolated and set deep in a landscape which in summer is verdant and filled with birdsong. Countless artists, scientists and intellectuals spent years in the cold, damp cells here, many in solitary confinement. They worked at mundane tasks such as assembling fasteners and survived on measly portions of bread and gruel.

It's worth hiring a guide for the day to learn about the regimes and history of the gulag – and to get you there and back. The gulag is located in the outskirts of the village of Kuchino, about 25km from the town of Chusovoy, which itself is 100km from Perm. You can take a bus bound for Chusovoy or Lysva, get off at Tyomnaya (R200, two hours) station, walk back to the main road and backtrack to the Kuchino turn-off (also leading to (Makhnutino), then walk another 2.5km to the village.

derevnya Kuchino, Perm Krai

Get In Touch

342-212 6129

https://www.itk36-museum.ru

Leadwood Tree Safari Lodge

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Reviews we perform checks on reviews. tripadvisor’s approach to reviews before posting, each tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. if the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. when the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . learn more about our review moderation..

• Excellent 22
• Very Good 11
• All languages ( 39 )
• English ( 37 )
• German ( 2 )

" Setting in a bushveld, peaceful "

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LEADWOOD TREE SAFARI LODGE - Reviews & Price Comparison (Hoedspruit, South Africa) - Tripadvisor

The Successors of St. Stephen of Perm

In memory of three holy hierarchs of perm.

Maria Marchenko

Here I am, O Lord, send me. Here I am, O God, in good time. And I shall glorify Thy Name, Here I am, O Lord, here I am.

Though the rays of Christ’s light did struggle through into the depths of the pagan forest, there were still many villages that, as before, had not yet heard the Gospel. Now, after the death of St. Stephen whom they hated, the pagan priests who were scattered across the Urals and had seemingly lost ground, hoped to get even with the newly-established Church of Perm. Among their plans were to bring their former flock back to the old beliefs, destroy the altars erected by St. Stephen, and resume their economic exploitation of the peace-loving Zyryans [“Zyryane”: the old-fashioned Russian name for the Komi—the people of what is now the Komi Autonomous Republic, belonging to the Finno-Ugric family.—Trans.]. Most of the shaman priests came from the Vogul people [“Voguly”: the obsolete name of the Mansi—the indigenous people living mainly in the Ob River basin in Western Siberia and related to the Finno-Ugric family; now most of them live in the Khanty-Mansi autonomous area within Russia’s Tyumen region.—Trans.] who converted to Orthodoxy very reluctantly.

The new diocese’s link to the Moscow Metropolis seemed (and was in many respects) nominal and illusory; in the late fourteenth century it was still extremely far from there to the Grand Prince (and the Metropolitan) of Moscow. The defenselessness of local clerics in the face of a hostile and often aggressive population frightened the newly-arrived priests and jeopardized the clergy who were Zyryan converts. Moreover, the new diocese needed not just priests but missionaries who were ready to put their lives at risk in open conflicts with the rebellious Ostyaks (the Khanty and the Mansi). It needed monks who were not bound to their families and children. This caused a shortage of clergy.

Another threat came from local government officials ( zemsky dyaks ) who as secular masters were gradually taking over the authority of bishops who governed the huge territory. This territory fell under the patronage of the Grand Prince of Moscow primarily under the auspices of the religious solidarity of Moscow and the newly-converted people of Perm, but the laws of the development of Muscovy demanded rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and sometimes these demands took cruel and even bloodthirsty forms.

The Archbishopric of Novgorod was indignant with Moscow, believing that the self-seeking Muscovites had lawlessly appropriated the territories that had belonged to the See of Novgorod from time immemorial 1 . Thus, some dishonest Church figures from among the ambitious lobbyists for Novgorod imperialism were ready to help the pagans who resisted the Muscovite expansion.

Thus St. Stephen’s work was threatened with serious danger. However, leaving the people of Perm physically, the holy hierarch had promised to remain with the Zyryans spiritually after his repose, provided they remain faithful Orthodoxy and keep their love for it. That is why after his repose, missionary work in his diocese was continued by three worthy successors: Sts. Gerasim, Pitirim and Jonah.

But Isaac, St. Stephen’s immediate successor in the diocese of Ust-Vym 2 , spent most his archpastoral ministry in Moscow, because being close to senior representatives of the Church hierarchy was his top priority as a hierarch. It is unknown whether his intercessions with the Metropolitan for the newly-converted Zyryans were successful; but what is known is that the name of Isaac was all but forgotten in the annals of Perm history, and his memory was almost erased and replaced by his immediate successors’ missionary exploits; because they preferred to share in the sorrows and joys of their flock in situ rather than send them exhortations from faraway Moscow.

St. Gerasim, the betrayed and murdered bishop

St. Gerasim’s self-sacrificing missionary endeavors, along with his consistent and energetic policy in the administrative sphere not only set the region’s development on the most progressive path but also provoked the envy of the less talented or charismatic functionaries of the state machine. The latter, wishing to get even with St. Gerasim who, in their view, exceeded his authority, decided to make use of the Vogul people’s deadly hatred for him. Officially, the local government officials who acted in collusion were right—St. Gerasim organized “groundwork at the bishop’s residence for the construction of a church” and entered into “conflict with the prince’s administration over disputed land ownership.” 5 In all probability, the bishop wanted to expand his estate (the bishop’s settlement [ vladychny gorodok .—Auth.] on the territory of which a bishop was equal to a feudal lord) without the secular authorities’ permission and get a part of the population involved in the work (compulsory but made to appear voluntary) on renovating a dilapidated church in Ust-Vym.

What made St. Gerasim firmly demand obedience to himself of the Prince of Moscow’s subjects in matters that were subject to Church jurisdiction? The fact is that the holy bishop presumed “in all fairness” Moscow government officials’ progress, along with cultural development and improvement in living conditions of inhabitants of humble Zyryan villages were the direct and immediate result of the success of Orthodox mission; and, therefore, there was nothing more important both for Moscow functionaries and local pastors than expanding the territory around the bishop’s residence and repairing the crumbling church.

But St. Gerasim’s opponents thought otherwise. Through slander they made a member of his household, a baptized Vogul, begin to hate him, and persuaded the man to murder the bishop for patriotic reasons, standing up for his people whom St. Gerasim supposedly persecuted. The most cynical thing about this treacherous murder was that it was committed by someone whom the saint had once taken into his home for care and for spiritual guidance. According to St. Gerasim’s plan, this Vogul would have eventually become a pastor and a missionary among his fellow-tribesmen.

On that fateful day, during a prayer service, the madman waited until St. German turned his back, grabbed his omophorion and strangled him with it. This is how the Vychegda-Vym Chronicle, written by the clergy of the Ust-Vym Monastery of the Archangel Michael in the late sixteenth century, recounts his tragic murder: “Bishop Gerasim of Perm has been murdered several stadia [an ancient measure of length, about 185 meters.—Trans.] from the bishop’s settlement, in the place called Mys 6 .”

St. Pitirim the Martyr

Chudov Monastery was known as the royal monastery, and its abbot would become a close advisor to the Grand Prince of Moscow. As abbot of Chudov Monastery St. Pitirim may have baptized the future Grand Prince Ivan III of Russia (1462—1505) in infancy, and after the news of the martyrdom of St. Gerasim of Ust-Vym had reached Moscow, the Metropolitan chose him as candidate, not without the influence of, or rather, on the initiative of the Grand Prince. St. Pitirim must have been shocked by St. Gerasim’s martyrdom; there was invisible warfare on the metropolia’s eastern frontiers, and representatives of the senior Moscow clergy were becoming its victims. By that time the fratricidal war between Princes Vasily II the Blind and appanage Prince Dmitry Shemyaka was already raging in Rus’. Its battlefront was precisely in Perm, and the bishopric couldn’t avoid “hostilities”. The future holy hierarch willy-nilly had to engage in bigtime politics. Well aware of this, he consciously and readily took the bishop’s duties on himself with humility and made his way to St. Gerasim’s bereaved flock.

In those first months, scrupulous analytical work to determine the strategy for future missionary work was carried out in the bishop’s office, St. Pitirim’s desk was covered with maps that he and his companions had drawn and marked. Long-time residents of the bishop’s quarters from among the clergy who had concelebrated with St. Gerasim reported to St. Pitirim what, when and how the people of Perm had been evangelized, in which districts of the region the inhabitants were the least enlightened by the missions of Sts. Stephen, Gerasim and their disciples, and where the pagan high priests whom St. Gerasim exposed had fled. It was finally decided to start a missionary campaign in the area of the Vashka basin, settled by the Udoren people. It was there, in the area called Udora, that the bastion of paganism (contemporary to St. Pitirim) was concentrated; it was there that the spiritual leaders of idol-worship and their followers had settled after being banished by St. Stephen several decades before.

By his personal example St. Pitirim instructed his priests how to find words that would reach the hearts of ordinary people. Those were the words of consolation and support, words that really staggered a populace who lived by the laws of vendetta and in the wildest pagan ways: “And he baptized and converted many, since those people were ignorant and notorious for their cruel customs; the blessed man enlightened and taught them in faith with great humility.” According to the Vychegda-Vym Chronicle, the success of the mission was full and unconditional: “Bishop Pitirim converted the Udoren people at the Vashka River to the holy faith, gave them abbots and priests, and erected holy churches there.”

Wandering across his diocese’s outlying districts, the holy bishop didn’t forget the people of Perm who made up the heart of his flock. St. Pitirim would often give targeted support to residents of Zyryan settlements, generously distribute alms from his private sources, and, most importantly, intercede with the Grand Prince to reduce the amount of tribute the people of Perm were obliged to pay.

Over his tenure the holy bishop visited Moscow several times to take part in the events that would be epoch-making for his contemporaries. The first of them was associated with the Synod of the Russian Bishop’s anathema of Prince Dmitry Shemyaka, who had blinded Grand Prince Vasily II of Moscow (1425–1462) in order to seize power and remove his most dangerous and legitimate rival from the political scene. It is remarkable with what unanimity Church figures (monks, like St. Gregory of Pelshem, as well as bishops) took Prince Vasily’s side in this political struggle.

Later, the modern historian Alexander Zimin (1920–1980) would say that Shemyaka fell victim to his own defeat. If the outcome of that conflict had been different, history with its historiographers would have taken his side 7 . However, the rigor of the hagiography’s heroes casts serious doubts on this hypothesis. The White Lake Monastery elders allowed Vasily to break his vow of not laying claim to Moscow, giving him full freedom to act. The Church hierarchs came to the capital occupied by Vasily to demonstrate their loyalty to him. One of the senior Church representatives of great authority who showed unconditional support for Vasily was Bishop Pitirim. He knew like no one else how much suffering Shemyaka’s ruinous campaigns had caused ordinary Russian people. Engaging the Perm Diocese’s most hardened enemies (the Vogul people and the inhabitants of Vyatka) for his purposes, Shemyaka scored repeated successes in his acts of banditry—blood was shed, and people in St. Pitirim’s flock were dying. Later Shemyaka took vengeance on the people of Perm by executing the Perm captains Emelka Luzkov and Euphemius Ezhvin for their willingness to fight on the side of the people of Veliky Ustyug, whose lands were being ravaged by his regiments 8 .

A few years later, Bishop Pitirim preached to the people of Vyatka who had cooperated with the rebellious prince’s excessive ambitions, and his words had a direct effect: Having laid siege to Ust-Vym in 1450, the Vyatchane’s army suddenly withdrew, leaving the town intact. The population of Perm remained indifferent to Dmitry’s calls. Everything seemed to indicate that the prince’s cherished ambitions were crumbling to dust, and the uncompromising and energetic Bishop Pitirim had largely contributed to that.

Shemyaka was determined to capture the bishop during one of his trips and by means of persuasion or promises force him to repeal the anathema against him. It remains unknown whether Dmitry hoped that psychological contact and mutual understanding might come during their talk tete-a-tete, or whether he believed in his own powers of persuasion, or had prepared some arguments which would justify his aggressive policy in the lands of Russia’s north, or perhaps meant to influence the bishop by threats and promises. 9 In any case, his main aim was to win St. Pitirim over.

This is how the Vychegda-Vym Chronicle describes this event: “In 6960 (1452) the cursed Shemyaka caught Bishop Pitirim on his way to Moscow, brought him to Ustyug, put him in jail and tortured him there; but the hierarch stood firm and did not repeal his anathema.” While in Ustyug in 1452, Dmitry followed all the movements of the Russian Church’s authoritative hierarch closely; and as soon as one of the prince’s spies reported St. Pitirim’s scheduled trip to Moscow, with the departure date and accompaniment (the bishop preferred to travel light, caring more about speed of travel than safety), Shemyaka didn’t fail to make use of such favorable circumstances.

St. Pitirim spent several months in confinement. Since the bishop yielded to no persuasion and flattering promises had no effect (Shemyaka saw in St. Pitirim a severe exposer of his heinous crimes, personal cruelty and dissoluteness), the prince’s arguments took another turn: he considered a prison cell, short rations, and threats of reprisal to be faster and safer means than heart-to-heart talks and attempts at self-justification. But that was in vain: St. Pitirim’s thoughts, words and deeds were only: “I am ready to die.” And St. Pitirim would have done his archpastoral duty and shown the cunning prince that he would not find the bishop to be a reed shaken with the wind (Lk. 7:24). However, this time God saved His servant’s life: The Muscovite army that was moving towards Uglich forced Dmitry to hastily retreat to Veliky Novgorod—the last bastion of anti-Moscow sentiment. St. Pitirim was released and resumed his archpastoral ministry with new enthusiasm.

The most important event St. Pitirim took part in was the Church Council of 1448 at which the Metropolitan of Moscow was elected and his appointment was confirmed without the Patriarch of Constantinople’s approval, for the first time in several centuries. In effect, the approval of the Synod of Russian Bishops of Bishop Jonah of Ryazan as the Metropolitan of Moscow meant the beginning of Russian autocephaly. This event seemed uncanonical to many hierarchs of the age, and the legitimacy of Jonah was questioned. Under the current circumstances (the falling away from Orthodoxy of Constantinople’s protégé Isidore, disorder in the Byzantine Empire) St. Pitirim couldn’t remain indifferent and expressed his stance with his characteristic straightforwardness and firmness: There shall be Russian autocephaly! With all the disadvantages that “breaking the cord” (connecting the Russian Church with Constantinople) entailed, now there was no alternative.

St. Pitirim’s life ended at the height of his archpastoral activity. Many years before, when he was being consecrated, standing by the gravestone of his predecessor in the Perm diocese St. Gerasim, St. Pitirim had been well aware that he could hardly expect a peaceful repose on his bed, surrounded by grateful disciples. The archpastoral ministry in a Perm that had not yet submitted to the Prince and the Metropolitan of Moscow was fraught with risks. On August 19, 1455, soon after a successful missionary journey to Great Perm and Cherdyn, after the end of the Sunday Liturgy at the Church of the Annunciation in Ust-Vym, St. Pitirim together with other clergymen and parishioners headed for a field between the Vym and the Vychegda to hold a prayer service 10 . But several miles away the Vogul Prince Asyka and his son Yushman were lying in ambush. Perhaps they decided to get even with St. Pitirim for baptizing the Vogul people living along the Pechora River, or they just seized the opportunity to make short work of their long-time antagonist in the person of the Bishop of Perm during another raid: “They were angry with the holy father because, contrary to their wishes, he tried his best to convert pagans to Orthodox faith and baptize them 11 .”

According to one version, some of the Vogul people found out about St. Pitirim’s plans by making inquiries with someone from a group of “heathen” who “had sailed up the Vychegda for a certain undertaking… in five days’ walk distance, in the place called Yur 12 .” When the whole procession appeared in the field of vision of Asyka’s detachment, the heathen rushed towards the defenseless worshippers from their hiding. Seeing the enemy, the holy bishop instantly ordered his companions to escape, hoping at the cost of his life to cover their retreat to the fortifications of Ust-Vym. St. Pitirim realized that he was the main target of the heathen attack and it was unlikely that his flock would be pursued. The holy hierarch met his death without murmuring, without making any attempts to defend himself: “And, seizing the saint with fury, they took turns beating him, tormenting him and putting the innocent man to death.” 13 The bishop’s body, which lay unburied for forty days, remained incorrupt, and his relics were enshrined at the Church of the Annunciation in Ust-Vym to the left of St. Gerasim’s shrine.

St. Jonah, baptizer of Great Perm

Over the course of St. Jonah’s tenure in the bishopric of Perm the political situation in the region considerably improved: Moscow, in the person of Vasily the Blind and his heirs, completely crushed the opposition of local pagan princelings who would gather savage hordes to lay waste to peace-loving Zyryan towns and villages, along with the envious raiding bands of Novgorodians 15 (in fact no less pagan) who threatened the region’s development. The prayers of the holy men were answered, and St. Jonah died in advanced old age with a sense of accomplishment: The clouds that had been gathering over St. Stephen’s legacy were scattered by the labors and prayers of the holy men. “What lies in store for Perm?” the venerable elder Jonah asked himself on his deathbed in 1472. But the answer didn’t come immediately: New Christians would be born; they too would pray to Christ in this land and in the churches consecrated by him and his predecessors, after his death, after the death of his successor, and so on till the end of time. St. Jonah’s remains were laid to rest in the shrine containing the relics of Sts. Gerasim and Pitirim.

The the ministry of these three holy hierarchs of Perm who contributed to the enlightenment of the pagan tribes in northeastern Russia’s border regions in the fifteenth century is a story of how at the right time and place, there were men found in the Russian Church who fearlessly answered the Lord’s call, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?: Here am I; send me (Is. 6:8).

Maria Marchenko Translated by Dmitry Lapa

Pravoslavie.ru

1  In 1385, “the Bishop of Novgorod was very angry with Pimen: how dared he establish a diocese in Perm, the age-old dominion of Novgorod? And he sent soldiers to take the Perm Diocese by force of arms.”

2  The so-called “bishop’s settlement” at the confluence of the Vym and the Vychegda Rivers.

3  The Vychegda-Vym Chronicle, p. 25.

4  M.B. Rogachev. The Perm Diocese in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries. P. 45.

5  The Vychegda-Vym Chronicle, p. 25.

6  Ibid.

7  A.A. Zimin. A Knight at the Crossroads: the Feudal War in Russia in the Fifteenth Century. Moscow, 1991.

8  It was the danger of war from Dmitry Shemyaka, threatening Great Perm, that caused Vasily the Blind to introduce the institution of “chief officer of the local administration” (namestnik) on that territory In 1452, Princes Ermolai and Vasily of Vereya became the first chief officers of the local administration.

9  You can always offer a metropolitan diocese to an unduly ambitious bishop.

10  According to another version, the assault took place on his way back from one of his missionary journeys: “The saint was seized during a journey like a defenseless lamb.”

11  The Tale of the Bishops of Perm. P. 72.

12  Ibid, p. 71.

13  Ibid, p. 73.

14  The Vychegda-Vym Chronicle. P. 26.

15  The Vychegda-Vym Chronicle in a solemn manner announces the military campaigns of Grand Prince Ivan III and the success of the military commander (voevoda) Prince Daniel of Kholm as an event that was directly related to the lives of the people of Perm // The Vychegda-Vym Chronicle, p. 26.

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