Free time must be spent for the benefit of the soul and body. Tourism is one of the best vacation options and at the same time gaining new experiences and knowledge. If you are a resident of Moscow or the Moscow region, then you are not limited in the choice of attractions. The capital of Russia is a whole panorama of parks, squares, museums and, of course, churches and monasteries. From time immemorial, the Mother See was famous for its Orthodox pearls, for which it received the title of "Golden-headed". An infinite number of holy places in the capital makes pilgrims from all over the country come here and admire the unprecedented beauty and rich history of temples and Orthodox complexes. One of these Christian centers of the capital is Novospassky Monastery. In Moscow, it is considered one of the most visited pilgrims places.
Why is the monastery called stavropegic?
This name is given to Orthodox complexes in which the cross at the altar is erected by the Patriarch himself. Such monasteries are under the tutelage of the canonical administration or supervision of the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church. The patriarch appointed governors - archimandrite or abbess. Such monasteries have some privileges. For example, the possibility of self-government and independence. On the territory of Russia, out of more than 600 Orthodox complexes, only 25 objects were awarded the title of stavropegial. Therefore, Novospassky Monastery in Moscow has a special status.
The history of the monastery
This Orthodox center was founded by the Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow as much as 8 centuries ago. Then the monastery was located at the Serpukhov outpost. Then the descendants of the prince transferred the sacred place to the Kremlin, and subsequently to Krutitsky hill, where he is still located today. After acquiring its final refuge, the monastery received the popular name - Spas in the new (place), which was strengthened as its official name.
During the reign of the Romanov dynasty, Novospassky Monastery became the second largest after the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin. The royal family founded a family necropolis in Savior on the New.
During the revolution, all places of worship were closed, including the Novospassky Monastery in Moscow. The tomb of the tsar was destroyed, in its place the Soviet government founded a prison for women. Later, a restoration center was placed in the monastery, and then a furniture factory.
Novospassky monastery was revived only at the end of the 20th century. From that moment on, monastic life and the daily liturgy began in him.
What is on the territory of the Orthodox complex?
The Novospassky Monastery in Moscow is a huge territory, on which as many as 19 objects are located, of which 6 cathedrals dating from the 17th century, a bell tower, several towers and chapels, a fraternal building, a master's yard. Each of these structures has its own special, unique history. The Novospassky Monastery in Moscow holds many secrets. The shrines that the Orthodox complex is famous for attract thousands of pilgrims. This is the icon of the “Tsaritsa”, revered by believers as an image that heals from serious illnesses, and the Holy Savior (19th century). Pilgrims can also venerate the holy relics.
Monastery opening hours and address
In the main church, liturgies are held daily at 8 a.m., Vespers are corrected at 5 p.m. On Sundays and holidays, the following schedule is set in the church: Liturgy at 7 and 9 o’clock, and All-Night Vigil at 5 o’clock in the evening. On all days, except during the period of Great Lent, a prayer service in front of the icon "The Tsaritsa" is being served in the church.
There are 2 ways to get to the monastery: via metro Proletarskaya or Marxistskaya station. In the first case, you will need to walk 500 meters to the complex itself. You will have to drive about a kilometer from the Marxist station.
Virtual tour
Knowing a simple address, Novospassky Monastery in Moscow is not difficult to find. So, the location of the Orthodox complex is Krestyanskaya square, 10. From Proletarskaya station you need to go towards the Moscow River. Having crossed the road through the underpass, you will find yourself at the majestic walls of the monastery. Its entrance is crowned with the icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands and a set of rules of conduct established on the territory of the object.
Stepping into the white vault, visitors find themselves in the reverent atmosphere of the monastery, filled with mystery and a sense of sacredness. It is best to start the excursion from the bell tower, once built on the initiative of Patriarch Filaret. In its height (about 80 m) it is comparable only with the bell tower of Ivan the Great (81 m). Once at the very top of the structure, look around - a wonderful, breathtaking panorama opens in front of you. After enjoying the beauty of the world from a bird's eye view, you can go to the Transfiguration Cathedral.
Monastery Center
Transfiguration Cathedral is the main church of this Orthodox complex. It is here that pilgrims can pray the icon “Vsetsaritsa” for the bestowing health to their near and dear ones who have oncological diseases. The sacred image of the Mother of God is decorated with numerous gifts of those people who were healed thanks to the grace of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. That is how the Russian people thanks the Almighty for a perfect miracle. The image of the Mother of God, as a priceless treasure of the temple, is located at the entrance.
The miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin
The Novospassky Monastery in Moscow keeps many shrines in its walls. "The Tsaritsa" is one of his main values. Once painted by a monk on Mount Athos, the icon became a healing image of the monastery in the late 20th century. Prayers are daily performed before the Mother of God . "Vseitsaritsa" is often transported to the NMIC Oncology. N. N. Blokhin on the Kashirskoye Highway to give spiritual strength to people with malignant tumors.
Shrines of the Transfiguration Cathedral
The temple is also famous for ancient images on the walls dating from the 17th century. These include a fresco dedicated to the family tree of the royal dynasty. No less interesting and controversial is the image of 10 ancient Greek scholars depicted at the entrance. The allegorical nature of this mural is that no matter what value pagan wisdom is, the Christian heritage will always be many steps higher.
In the center of the temple is a seven-tiered iconostasis with images of saints, the Mother of God and Christ the Savior. And, like in any other church, in the Transfiguration Cathedral there are many images of holy martyrs, righteous, reverends and prophets (for example, the fresco of John the Baptist). All this is really worth a visit to the Novospassky Monastery in Moscow. Photo and video shooting on the territory is allowed.
Inspecting the complex
The monastery also has a copy of the cross, which is located on the territory of the Kremlin. This cultural monument was dedicated to Sergey Alexandrovich Romanov - the prince and governor of Moscow in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He died from the explosion of a bomb thrown by one of the Socialist-Revolutionary terrorists. The wife of Romanov, Elizaveta Fedorovna, having a deep faith in God and by virtue of confession, came to prison to the murderer and persuaded him to repent of their deeds. In exchange for this, the princess gave the floor to intercede for his pardon and forgiveness. But the criminal, by virtue of his radical beliefs, did not do this, and was executed.
Novospassky Monastery in Moscow has such an atmosphere of sacredness and a special microclimate that apricot trees bear fruit on its territory. It seems that all God's mercy has descended on the Orthodox complex, in the garden of which flowers and plants of amazing beauty grow.
The temples of the monastery
The Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary is located in the enclosed space of the monastery, which is why visitors do not immediately notice this church from the central square of the Orthodox complex. It adjoins the northeast side to the Transfiguration Cathedral. The Church of the Intercession of the Virgin consists of three chapels, the central of which was erected in honor of the eponymous holiday. The right side of the church (chapel) is dedicated to the Great Martyr Barbara, and the left to St. Dmitry, Metropolitan of Rostov.
The Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary has many Orthodox values, such as relics, frescoes, icons. The Novospassky monastery in Moscow also includes such cathedrals as the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, the Icon of the Mother of God “The Sign”, and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
The complex is definitely worth a visit - both to deep believers, and to those who are just opening the first page of Orthodoxy in their lives.