Acquaintance with the history of the creation of the Solovetsky Compound in Moscow should begin with a certain introduction. It turns out that there is a close cultural connection between him and the Trinity-Sergius Monastery, which can be traced back to the first half of the 17th century.
In September 1627, after the intercession of the Radonezh and Solovetsky miracle workers, Elder Daniil, the builder of the Solovetsky Compound in Moscow, was punished with blindness for refusing to work in the house of St. Sergius of Radonezh, whom Patriarch Filaret himself sent to him.
This Solovetsky old man then violated the norm, which had existed for more than one decade (from the 90s of the 16th century to the 30s of the 17th century). During this period, the Solovetsky elders were invariably appointed to various economic posts in the Trinity-Sergius Monastery.
The beginning of this tradition was laid by Tsar Fedor Ioannovich, who sent ten Solovetsky elders to the Sergiev Monastery in 1593-1594.
Story
Behind the Moskva River in Endov, on Sadovnicheskaya Street, 6 (Lower Gardeners are today's address of the Solovetsky Compound in Moscow), there is the Church of St. George the Victorious. Its construction began in the time of Ivan the Terrible. “In Endovo” - this name was most likely associated with the features of the area, which indicated the formed hollows of the former river bed.
By the end of the 16th century, this stone church was erected with the blessing of Archbishop Arseniy Elassonsky, who visited Moscow in 1588 with the Patriarchal Embassy of Constantinople.
During the time of turmoil at the very beginning of the 17th century, the temple became unusable, since in these years fortresses were organized in many churches.
In 1653, Sloboda residents of Nizhny Sadovnikov built a new five-domed church with a tent bell tower and refectory chamber at their own expense, the main throne of which was consecrated in honor of the Nativity of the Virgin.
The chapel of St. George the Victorious was located on the south side of the altar. On the north side of the refectory in 1729, the single-domed border of Nicholas the Wonderworker was arranged. Near the church at this time was a cemetery.
Recovery of lost due to natural disasters
In 1786, groundwater washed the temple buildings, as a result of which the bell tower was destroyed and the refectory was damaged.
The new three-tier church was rebuilt on this site already in 1806 with the cares and labors of the parishioner Pavel Grigoryevich Demidov. It was set on the north side separately from the temple.
The fire in Moscow in 1812 did not go around and this is a holy place. Everything burned out overnight.
The parishioners experienced a difficult wartime situation, however, they worked with great zeal to rebuild the Solovetsky Compound Church, and two years later a new chapel of St. George the Victorious appeared.
By 1829, the main part of the temple was rebuilt and the throne of the Nativity of the Virgin was consecrated. In 1836, the porch was re-built in the temple, which has been preserved today.
The beautification and decoration of the temple was carried out by the elder Privalov Ivan Eliseevich (from 1864 to 1876). The temple and the refectory were re-painted, new iconostases and new heating stoves appeared.
Flood
In 1908, a severe flood occurred. During the spring floods, the Moscow River flooded the whole neighborhood. The temple was flooded, and this led to serious destruction.
The restoration work following this was led by the architect N. Blagoveshchensky. The refectory was restored by the artist A.I. Nakhromov according to former paintings.
The temple community has always been involved in charity work. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, an almshouse was organized for sick and elderly people. There was a parish school and the St. George sobriety at the church. During the First World War, a hospital was organized here.
Restoration
Until 1935 the temple was operational. But after the closure, various state institutions began to be located in it.
The restoration of the holy monastery began in the 1960s. The Church of St. George the Victorious was completely restored.
On June 16, 1992, the Moscow Compound of the Solovetsky Monastery was re-created, to which the Church of St. George the Victorious in Endov was transferred. Hieromonk Methodius was appointed the rector of the church, who first of all began to prepare for the transfer of the relics of the Solovetsky saints Zosima, Savvaty and German from St. Petersburg on August 20, 1992.
In the Solovetsky Monastery, a tradition of serving a moleben with Akathist above the named reverend elders was established.
The beginning of worship
The first service in the temple took place on Christmas January 7, 1993.
Then, with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II, all the services of Lent were held. And the head priest consecrated the throne of the Nativity of the Virgin. Then the restoration began.
A year later, the governor of the Solovetsky Monastery, Father Joseph, made a small consecration of the chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Then the central part of the temple began to be restored.
February 3, 2001, on the feast in honor of the icon of the Virgin, called "Joy", a huge worship cross appeared in the courtyard in honor of the Solovetsky new martyrs.
The next day, Patriarch Alexy, surrounded by archbishops and governor Joseph, performed the divine liturgy and memorial service for all those who suffered for the faith during the time of severe persecution. Then the blessing of the worship cross took place.
In 2002, the restoration of the compound continued. Art and paintings were carried out under the guidance of the artist of the first category, restorer E. Chaban.
Anniversary year
The anniversary year for the church of St. George the Victorious was 2003. After all, 350 years have passed since that time.
Surprisingly, it has survived to this day after all sorts of natural disasters, war and the Soviet period, when everything that was connected with God's churches was destroyed.
On November 12, 2003, with the participation of Patriarch Alexy II, the Great Consecration of the temple was made, the main aisle of which was consecrated in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as in the old days. The chapel in the refectory was consecrated in honor of St. Nicholas and in honor of St. St. George the Victorious.
Thus, the 350th anniversary of the construction of the temple (1635) and the decade of the resumption of worship in it (1993) were celebrated.
And only by Easter 2006 in the temple was a full five-tier iconostasis installed. The artists, together with the famous Moscow icon painter N. Nuzhny, completed the mural painting of the altar in the Nikolo-Gergievsky chapel.
Economic activity
In general, all the economic activity of the Solovetsky Compound is mainly aimed at helping the Solovetsky Monastery, which is located on the Solovetsky Islands in the Arkhangelsk Region. The compound is engaged in the transportation of all kinds of goods there by road and rail. These goods are needed to resolve issues related to restoration and construction work and ensuring the daily life of the monastic fraternity.
The Board of Trustees of the monastery consists of representatives of various institutions coordinating charitable assistance to the Solovetsky Monastery, courtyards and hermitages.
An editorial and publishing department is also located on the territory of the Solovetsky Compound in Moscow, which helps to publish literature and select material. These are annual publications - wall and table calendars of the Solovetsky Monastery, all kinds of printed materials, postcards, packaging and more. In this section, the Moscow edition of the Solovetsky Vestnik is published monthly.
Parish life
The main shrine of this farmstead is an icon with the relics of the Solovetsky miracle workers the Monk Zosima, Savvaty and German. Not a single worship service takes place without prayers addressed to the Solovetsky holy princes, at this time troparia, kondak and greatness are heard. On Wednesday, according to custom, a prayer service with an akathist to these reverend elders sounds.
On special veneration in the temple are the icons of the Virgin, referred to as the "Sovereign" and the "Burning Cup".
At the monastery, many charitable organizations and the Sunday school "Bells" are working. Pilgrimages to the monasteries and to the Solovetsky Islands are constantly made, as well as guided tours of Moscow museums.
Solovetsky Compound. Schedule of Divine Services
According to the schedule approved by the head priest, the Divine Liturgy is served three, and sometimes four times a week.
The schedule of the courtyard of the Solovetsky Monastery in Moscow says that at 8:00 the morning prayers begin, then the midnight office, the hours and the Divine Liturgy, after which a thanksgiving or custom-made prayers are served on weekdays, and a funeral service on Saturdays. On Sundays and on holidays, a procession is held.
The evening begins at 5 p.m. reading at the 9th hour.
On Wednesdays, at 17.00, - a prayer service with the akathist Rev. Solovetsky saint.
In those days when the liturgy is not performed, the service begins at 6:00, evening - at 17:00. A small supper is held on it with canons and an akathist, included in the rule of daily prayer, and lithium for the departed.
In the Solovetsky Compound, the daily circle of worship is served every day for a year. In addition to all this, during Lent, on Thursdays, the sacrament of unction is held.
Three times a year, night services are held: on Christmas Day, Great Saturday, Holy Sunday.
Address of the Solovetsky Compound: 115035 Russia, Moscow, ul. Gardening 6.