Kubensky Monastery

Saviour Transfiguration Kamenny Monastery (Russian: Спасо-Преображенский Каменный монастырь) was the name of a Russian Orthodox monastery situated on a small eponymous island in the centre of the Kubensky Lake near the mouth of the Kubena River and urban-type settlement Ustye (Russian: Устье, lit. river mouth) in Vologodsky District of Russia. Kamenny Island (literally, "Stony Island") is very small, measuring just 120 metres by 70 metres. It is so named after stony ramparts set up by the monks around the island's perimeter in order to preclude its erosion. The monastery is distinguished as the first stone monastery of the Russian North. The lake is known for its inclement weather and frequent storms. It is believed that during one of such storms in 1269 Duke Gleb of Beloozero was cast ashore, where he found a small monastic community. The legends of the monks attribute the construction of the first timber cathedral on the isle to the funds subsequently provided by that monarch. Under Dmitry Donskoy, the Kamenny Monastery was run by Dionisius, a Greek monk who introduced the coenobian rule of Mount Athos, whereby the brethren were closed alike, took their meals (usually limited to bread and scarce vegetables) in the refectory and were bound to possess no private property.