The monasteries of Moscow and Moscow region have a great history, many of them played a significant role in the events that took place in the Middle Ages in Russia. All these cloisters are monuments of history, architecture and ancient Russian architecture, some of them are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Monuments of Moscow region
In the suburbs there are a large number of historical monuments of architecture and architecture. One of the leading places among them belongs to temples and monasteries. There are a great many of them. Until 1990, many monasteries near Moscow were closed. However, at present, Orthodox Christians can again not only pray in these churches, but also learn a lot about their history, making pilgrimages and excursions.
These monasteries and temples are a kind of religious centers, as in the times when they were built. Among these cultural monuments there are monasteries of the Moscow Region with miraculous icons that attract thousands of pilgrims. These icons give believers healing and peace.
Kolomensky monastery
Kolomna is a city located in the Moscow region, which according to the Lavrentievsky Chronicle already existed in 1177. It is part of a cohort of the most ancient Russian cities; a large number of architectural monuments have survived to this day. The Kolomna Kremlin has partially survived in Kolomna, and numerous temples and monasteries have also reached us.
The existing monasteries of the Moscow Region with miraculous icons include the Bobrenev Monastery. It is called "Theotokos-Rozhdestvensky" and was created by decree of Dmitry Donskoy, who was then the Grand Duke. It began to be erected after a victory was won over the Mongol-Tatar yoke in the Battle of Kulikovo. The name of the monastery was given by the name of Governor D.M. Beaver, who distinguished himself in the battle with the Golden Horde.
He later became the main builder of the monastery, which received the blessing of Sergius of Radonezh. In those days, the Bobrenev Monastery was a kind of "watchman" and had a key role in the defense of Moscow, as one of the links in the chain of defense in the southeast.
The miraculous icon of the Bobrenev Monastery
A miraculous icon of the Theodore Holy Mother of God is kept in the Bobrenevsky monastery. The history of its appearance suggests that in 1908, during the spring flood, a miraculous list of the Theodore icon of the Virgin was brought to the walls of the monastery with water. According to legend, this image of the Virgin was captured by the Evangelist Luke himself.
The icon was placed in Theodore Church, and its appearance itself was regarded as a good sign. Soon, believers began to flock to the icon for prayer in large numbers. People began to notice that after prayers in front of the image of Theodore Blessed Virgin Mary, infertile women began to become pregnant. Information about this covered the surrounding area, and then the whole of Russia. Today, thousands of women come to this image for help in the fight against infertility. It is also believed that the icon helps in strengthening the family and comforting the sorrow of worshipers.
Since 1613, the image of the Theodore Holy Mother of God has been the patron and protector of the house of the Tsars of the Romanovs, and for this reason all foreign brides of the Russian emperors received patronymic Fedorovna.
Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius
One of the most famous monasteries of the Moscow region can be attributed to the Lavra under the name Trinity-Sergius. This is one of the largest monasteries belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church, which has a long history. In the Holy Trinity Cathedral are stored the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, who is the founder of the monastery. The cloister is located in the small town of Sergiev Posad.
The founding date of the monastery is 1337, when Sergius of Radonezh settled in these places. In the Middle Ages, this monastery played a prominent role in the political life of Russia, was a pillar and inspirer of the people and power. According to historical information, the monastery took part in the struggle against the Tatar-Mongol yoke, and also opposed the encirclement of the False Dmitriyevs - both the second and third, and in the Time of Troubles opposed the Polish-Lithuanian troops.
Lavrovsky ensemble
On the territory where the Trinity-Sergius Lavra is located , there are numerous architectural buildings created by the best architects of the 15th-19th centuries. The ensemble of laurels includes more than 50 buildings that have different purposes, and all of them are under the protection of UNESCO.
In the current monastery near Moscow, more than ten temples were built. These include the following.
- The cathedral called Holy Trinity, built in the XV century.
- The temple, erected in the glory of the Holy Spirit, descended upon the apostles, created in the XV century.
- Assumption Cathedral (XVI century).
- Temple of Nikon of Radonezh, built in the XVII century.
- Church of the Solovetsky Saints Zosima and Savatius (XVII century).
- Temple of St. Sergius (Refectory Church) end of the 17th century.
- Church dedicated to the Nativity of John the Baptist, XVII century.
- Mikheevskaya Church, or Temple of the Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Apostles S. Radonezh, XVIII century.
- Church of the Smolensk Icon of Our Lady of Hodegetria, built in the middle of the XVIII century.
- Serapion's tent of the XVIII century.
- The Assumption Chapel above the fount (well), created closer to the end of the XVII century.
In the churches of this monastery near Moscow, services are held daily according to the schedule, despite the fact that the Trinity-Sergius Lavra is considered a museum complex. The beauty of architecture and the beautiful interior decoration and painting of the ensemble will not leave indifferent art lovers visiting it.
Resurrection New Jerusalem Monastery
In Istra, the New Jerusalem Monastery is located. It was founded in 1656 by Nikon, the patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. The idea of Patriarch Nikon was that the New Jerusalem Monastery was to recreate a complex of sacred Christian places located in Palestine.
A unique complex of both medieval and modern structures has been created in the Moscow Region Monastery in Istra. As conceived by the patriarch, the Resurrection Cathedral was erected in the image of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher located in Jerusalem. It is known for certain that during its construction drawings of the Jerusalem temple were used. The church has three chapels: the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady, the Calvary Church and the Church of St. John the Baptist.
The Resurrection Cathedral, like its prototype in Palestine, consists of three parts, which are combined into a single architectural composition. A distinctive feature of the temple is a ceramic belt decorating the facade of the building, and tiles inside the cathedral. The temple has unique ceramic order iconostases, which were consecrated by Patriarch Nikon.
The architectural complex of the New Jerusalem Monastery
The dawn of the Russian school of icon painting is associated with the icons of a monastery near Moscow in Istra, located in various churches. They began to be created using new writing techniques and materials, which made them more beautiful and realistic.
On the territory of the monastery there are more than ten buildings belonging to different construction times. This is the bell tower, restored in 2016, the underground church of Constantine and Elena, the Holy Gate and the gate church of the XVII century, the Church of the Nativity and the refectory under it, built at the end of the XVII century. As well as buildings for the domestic needs of monks:
- 17th century malt and blacksmith chambers.
- Brotherly Corps.
- Pastoral chambers.
- Guard Chambers.
- Hospital wards.
Earlier, the museum and exhibition complex was located on the territory of the monastery under the name “New Jerusalem”, in the collection of which there are more than 180 thousand exhibits. However, in 2013 he moved to the other side of the Istra River, where he settled down in a new large and comfortable building. Now in this museum you can learn about the history of miraculous monasteries near Moscow and get acquainted with numerous museum relics.
Female Assumption Kolotsky Monastery
The Assumption Kolotsk monastery is located in the Moscow Region, in the Mozhaisk district. Many Moscow and Moscow monasteries are known for their history and shrines. The Assumption Monastery, located in the village of Kolotskoye, is no exception. Previously, the Kolotsky Monastery was male, but at the end of the 20th century it became female. The convent near Moscow is one of the most visited convents by believers who want to receive healing from various ailments.
The monastery was built in the XV century by Andrei Mozhaysky, who was the son of Dmitry Donskoy, the Grand Duke. The construction was started in honor of the appearance of the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. These lands are rich in history, so in the XVII century the Polish-Lithuanian troops robbed these lands, and at the beginning of the XIX century there were battles with the troops of Napoleon. The Assumption Kolotsky Monastery was visited by emperors Alexander I, Alexander II, Kutuzov M.I., Field Marshal, and other historical figures. They came here to bow to the miraculous icon of the Kolotsk Mother of God.
The legend of the appearance of the miraculous icon
A poor peasant named Luke in an unknown place at that time found an icon and brought it to his home. At home he had a sick relative who, thanks to the icon, received healing. Rumor spread the message around the district, and soon brought it to Moscow, where Luka went with the icon.
Luke enriched himself, healing the afflicted, and returned home with big money. He built a house and began to live a wild life. However, after one incident, everything changed. Once, a bear nearly lifted Luke to death, he became rational and began to lead a righteous life. He gave money for the construction of the temple and monastery and he settled in it, becoming a monk.
The legend of the place of acquisition
Later, as the legend says, at the place of the Kolotsk Icon of the Mother of God, a healing spring appeared, to which a procession is held on the day the image is celebrated. Kolotsk women's monastery can be attributed to one of the miraculous monasteries of the Moscow region, a large number of pilgrims and tourists come to these places every year.
The monasteries of the Moscow Region are unique historical witnesses of various events and eras. These monasteries - real monuments of Russian temple architecture and pearls of architecture - will appeal to all lovers of the beautiful.