St. Yuriev Monastery is located on the banks of such a river as Volkhov. Here lies the city of Veliky Novgorod. Yuryev Monastery is a functioning Orthodox male monastery. This is an interesting place that you should definitely visit during a trip to the most beautiful city in Russia.
History reference
The Yuryev Monastery (Veliky Novgorod), the foundation date of which is 1030, in accordance with tradition, was laid by Yaroslav the Wise, who received the name George during baptism, which was pronounced in Russian as “Yuri”. It is this fact that underlies the name of the monastery cloister.
In the annals of him was first mentioned in 1119. For several centuries it was called Lavra and among the monasteries of Veliky Novgorod was considered the first in importance. In the 15th century, he was the richest and largest church feudal lord. In the 20-30s of the 20th century, the monastery was closed and plundered. The Great Patriotic War did not pass over the monastery. It housed the military units of German and Spanish invaders. In the post-war period, the St. George Monastery in Veliky Novgorod became a place for people to live. There was a museum, college, shop, post office, etc. The return of the monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church took place in 1991.
Interesting historical facts
Rich history is famous for
Veliky Novgorod. Yuriev Monastery has its own history, in which there are many facts that arouse genuine interest among tourists. Consider some interesting information:
- The patron of the monastery was Countess Anna Orlova, daughter of a famous person, Alexei Orlov-Chesmensky. She was an extremely religious woman and donated almost her entire fortune to the needs of the monastery.
- St. Yuriev Monastery in Veliky Novgorod does not differ in a large number of monks. In general, they can rarely be found here. All because there are only four of them. Most often, tourists for students monk accept NDU students.
- On the territory of the monastery there is a large and beautiful apple orchard, which was taken care of by students of the Institute of Agriculture of NovSU in 1990-2000. Now it is the responsibility of parishioners and pilgrims.
- There is a smoking ban sign on the monastery grounds. Earlier in 1990, she asked citizens not to walk on the lawn.
- St. George's Cathedral of St. George's Monastery (Veliky Novgorod) is the burial place of the mother and elder brother Alexander Nevsky.
- Right behind the monastery is the "Yuryevsky" beach, where you can swim and sunbathe.
- At the monastery is the Novgorod Theological College, which began to operate in 2004.
The buildings
The whole ensemble of cathedrals and temples is the Yuriev Monastery (Veliky Novgorod). A photo of a map of the monastery hangs at the entrance. Anyone can get acquainted with it. The monastery consists of:
- St. George's Cathedral, which is the main temple.
- Holy Cross Cathedral - a beautiful church with blue domes decorated with gold stars.
- Spassky Cathedral.
- The bell tower, which reaches a height of 52 meters, is a business card.
- A stone gazebo, where previously was a consecrated source of water.
- An old windmill belongs to the Vitoslavlitsy Museum.
St. George's Cathedral
Many churches are located in the city of Veliky Novgorod. Yuriev Monastery includes several temples.
The main one is St. George's Cathedral. Its construction was initiated in 1119. The church was built by master Peter. He was one of the first ancient Russian masters, and one of the few whose name has come down to our time. Construction lasted for 11 years. In 1130, he was consecrated in the name of St. George the Victorious. Here the abbots of the monastery, some Russian princes and Novgorod posadniks are buried.
The style of the cathedral is perfectly logical. His forms have material weight. It is as if created for a princely exit, and not at all for the transition to contemplation and self-deepening. This reflects the nature of the temple and its purpose. After all, it was originally built not only as the main cathedral of the monastery, but also as a princely church.
The exterior of the cathedral and the interior are grand. However, it is distinguished by a large number of monotonous niches and windows, which are located by belts. Despite this grandeur, the architecture of the cathedral is simple. It is lined with stone blocks and bricks. The roof has four slopes. Previously, it was covered with lead sheets, was original. Three chapters arranged asymmetrically form the crown of the temple.
The walls of the cathedral were painted shortly before consecration. But, unfortunately, at present, the ancient painting on the frescoes is almost completely destroyed. There are only insignificant fragments that adorn the window slopes, as well as ornamental decorations. But the ancient painting was preserved in a small temple, which is located in the tower in the north-western side.
The cathedral is striking in its power and grandeur. Since the walls of the church are very thick, it is always cold there. However, it does. According to the monastery charter, services are performed here. The fraternity is still not numerous, but gradually the cathedral is being reborn, the church is being renovated, icons are being written, the monastery is being built.
Holy Cross Cathedral
St. Yuriev Monastery (Veliky Novgorod) includes another church - Holy Cross Cathedral. This is a beautiful church with blue domes decorated with gold stars. This cathedral is immediately noticeable against the background of the general ensemble of the monastery. It is located right in the wall and immediately attracts attention to itself against the background of the other white walls. There are five blue chapters. They posted 208 eight-pointed stars.
Earlier in its place was a wooden church, which burned down in 1823.
After the temple was closed by the Bolsheviks, he lost a beautiful mural. Now it is simply painted white.
The temple has a heating system, therefore, worship services are regularly held here at any time of the year.
Spassky Cathedral
On the northwest side of the St. George's Church is the Savior Cathedral. Initially, a church of A. Nevsky stone was built on this site. However, in 1823 there was a strong fire, which destroyed it. The following year, the Spassky Cathedral was erected at the same place, based on the foundation of the old church. He was ordered by Archimandrite Photius. It was rebuilt with the money donated to the monastery by Anna Orlova. In the basement was organized the Church of the Praise of the Virgin. She became the tomb for Archimandrite Photius and benefactress Anna Orlova.
In 1929, the temple, along with the tombs, was looted, and the remains of Photius and Anna were stolen. Later they were found in the Arkazhi in the Annunciation Church.
The Great Patriotic War caused serious damage to the cathedral. All the chapters of the church were destroyed, but were restored in the postwar period. Now the cathedral is operating again.
Bell tower
Against the background of all the buildings of the St. George Monastery, the bell tower stands out for its height. It consists of 4 tiers. Its height is 52 meters. It was built in 1838-1841. The design of the bell tower was made by Carlo Rossi. The architect was Sokolov. If you look directly at the bell tower, you can pay attention to the disproportion of its parts. This is due to the fact that one hundred Nicholas the First removed the middle tier from the project so that the construction was not higher than the
Ivan the Great Bell Tower in the Kremlin. During the Easter week, any tourist can try ringing the bells. This building is clearly visible from the pedestrian bridge in a city such as Veliky Novgorod. Yuryev Monastery is easy to distinguish from afar. The bell tower with a golden dome, which literally burns in the sun, is the hallmark of the monastery.
Church of the Archangel Michael
In the southeast of the monastery, the temple of the Archangel Michael is directly adjacent to the fence . The tower was built in 1760, and the church here was built by archimandrite Photius in 1831. In wartime, like most of the buildings of the monastery, it was destroyed. The shape of the church was restored in 1950. However, the drum and dome were revived only in 2010-2013. The interior of the church has not yet been restored.
Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "The Burning Cupid"
This church was also founded by Archimandrite Photius to protect the monastery from fires, which were not uncommon for him. It can only be reached through the corridor of the Southern Corps. There is heating, but services are only available during the holidays. Mass tourists are denied access there. Prayers of the inhabitants are held here, next to it are their cells. Access is open to pilgrims.
The modern life of the monastery
Currently, Yuriev Monastery (Veliky Novgorod) is active. The complex of buildings was transferred to the diocese of the city at the end of 1991. Only four years later a monastic community was created here.
The archimandrite of the monastery is His Eminence Leo (Tserpitsky).
The service is held in four temples, but not all of them are heated.
The Holy Synod blessed in 2005 the opening of a religious school on the territory of the monastery. Archbishop Leo is its rector.
So, St. Yuriev Monastery in Veliky Novgorod is a beautiful complex of churches with a rich history. More than once fires occurred on its territory, in wartime many churches were destroyed and badly damaged. However, the monastery is being restored and continues to operate. There is still a lot of work to restore the monastery. Despite this, the cathedrals amaze tourists with their beauty and power.