Glorified by the Alexander Monastery of Suzdal. Pilgrims from all over the CIS and abroad gather here. It is located on the banks of the river called Kamenka. The monastery was originally female.
The history of the monastery
The founder of the monastery is Alexander Nevsky. Date of occurrence - 1240 year. The prince was waiting for fierce battles with the Germans, and he decided to build a monastery before the war in honor of his patron saint of heaven, Alexander of Rome. Why did he build it in Suzdal? The fact is that this is the birthplace of Nevsky. At that time, his younger brother, Andrei Yaroslavich, ruled in Suzdal. The first name of the shrine is the Great Lavra - the Alexander Maiden Monastery.
Unfortunately, during the Polish invasion (1608 - 1610), the monastery was completely destroyed by fire. Nothing memorable that belonged to the monastery until this date has been preserved.
The new monastery church was begged in the petition abbess Domnik from Tsar Peter Alekseevich in 1695. The building was built with the money of the tsar’s mother - Natalia Kirillovna. It was called the Church of the Ascension of the Lord and was equipped with a bell tower, which is a two-tier four, which had five chapels.
Tent bell tower
The bell tower of the Alexander Monastery in Suzdal is an octagonal pillar, which stands on a low four. At its base is a staircase. The only bell tower in the city of Suzdal has no decor, which makes it unique. Nevertheless, she has a very modest decoration - carved platbands over rumored windows and the same frame of arches.
In the XVIII century (first half), the Alexander Monastery in Suzdal was surrounded by a low fence. The fence was decorated with turrets that are stylized as defensive.
The holy gate of the Alexander Monastery in Suzdal
At the same time, the Holy Gates were installed at the entrance to the monastery. They are decorated with a carved tower, the same as that installed near the Holy Gates of the Trinity Monastery. And this is not surprising, because the project involved Ivan Gryaznov. The same person who led the construction of the Trinity Monastery.
Catherine II, during the process of secularization of lands in 1764, gave the monastery to the city authorities. It was abolished and renamed the parish church of the city.
2006 was a turning point in the history of the shrine. He was again christened the Alexander Monastery for men. In Suzdal, father Abel (Urgalkin) became its rector. The shrine was assigned to the Vladimir – Suzdal diocese.
Holy burial
During its heyday, the complex of the building was called the Great Lavra. Patrons of the shrine were Ivan Kalita and his family. His sons gave the monastery lands for the priests to commemorate the souls of the dead. Once there was a tomb for princely wives. On the territory are the remains of:
- Princess Mary of Suzdal;
- Grand Duchess Agripina.
Interesting Facts
At the time of the struggle with the Mongol-Tatar invaders, everyone who needed it could find shelter here. The abbots received the wretched and the orphans. Widowed wives, people who lost loved ones, and their homes were destroyed, found solace here.
The archive miraculously preserved paper (diploma), which refers to the fact that in 1738 two criminals (schismatics) were sent here. One lady conspired with the guards and escaped. After this, the abbess had big problems, but she was able to confirm her innocence.
How the monastery works: mode
There is no need to pay for entering the shrine. You can go to church at any time. Ladies need to cover their heads with a scarf, and it is advisable not to have bright makeup on their faces. Kerchiefs can be taken at the entrance. Women are also undesirable to be in trousers, but still wear a skirt, but no one will even drive them out in jeans. Pilgrims are offered to stay at the service, they can feed dinner, provide shelter.
Excursions
The inhabitants of the monastery themselves do not conduct excursions and it is so easy not to get into the territory. If you want to see the life of the Suzdal shrine from the inside, you will have to pay for a tour of the numerous monasteries of the city. Its cost is approximately 3,000 Russian rubles. You can gather a group and hire a guide privately. The cost of accompanying services is 1.5 thousand rubles.
How to get to the monastery in Suzdal?
The monastery is located 500 km from Red Square. Near it there is free parking and you can park the car. Next you need to walk, turn left on the street. Friedrich Engels and walk to the street. Gastaeva. Walk along this street and turn right. The whole way, if you want, can be overcome by car. It’s possible to leave a car near the Holy Gates. There is no parking ban.
The Alexander Monastery is modest and not as magnificent as, for example, Pokrovsky. But the parishioners find peace, comfort, solitude and silence here. Within its walls, it is good to have a quiet conversation with the Lord through prayer. Tourists can enjoy the panorama and architecture. They are visible from the high bank of Kamenka. Walk through these holy places, and peace and harmony will reign in the soul.