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There are places which seem to be especially destinied to
glorify God, places reminding of the primordial harmony of the world. Often these places are
separated by Nature from the surroundings. One of such places in Russia is Valaam, an
archipelago in Ladoga Lake with the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour.
The total area of its fifty islands is thirty-six square kilometres. The
wonderful nature of Valaam, according to the words of hidrographer A.P. Andreev, "is unique
in Europe: sheer rocks raising high from the depths, little islands, capes, bays... Straits, lakes,
surrounded by thick plants and sullen granite rocks reflect everything in their azure, and tall
coniferous trees complete the marvelous, magnificent picture."
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Valaam Monastery
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The name "Valaam" is
translated from Finnish as "the high land", less probable are the translations "the land of vow"
or "the land of light". Sometimes the name of the island is attributed to the name of the pagan
god Baal (Veles), or the biblical prophet Balaam.
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