The life of the Monastery today is additional evidence that faith in God invariably raises and recovers the Cloister from the ruins. This has been so throughout the Valaam’s history: barbarous raids of the Swedes in earlier times, bombings and the dubious fate of the Monastery during the Great Patriotic War, its apparently complete devastation in the era of atheism – monastic life always has returned to these shores.

The date when the revival of the Valaam Monastery began is well - known. On December 14, 1989, four hieromonks and two novices were the first of the present Monastery brethren to set their feet upon the snow-covered shores of the Great Nikon Harbour, almost 50 years after the last monks had left the Cloister. This day has been established as a festival here ever since. Annually on December 14 a thanksgiving service is held in front of the Shrine of Saint Sergius and Herman of Valaam, and the Father Superior addresses a pastoral message to the brethren.