After the baptism by Prince Vladimir on the territory of Russia, a huge number of Orthodox monasteries were founded and opened. Of course, the cloisters acted in such a significant city as Moscow. Epiphany Monastery - one of the oldest in the capital. In antiquity, it is second only to Danilovsky.
Foundation History
Unfortunately, when exactly this monastery was founded, historians did not succeed in finding out exactly. Presumably, the monastery was founded in 1296, fourteen years after Danilovsky. Prince of Moscow and Vladimir at that time was the youngest son of A. Nevsky Daniil Alexandrovich. It is believed that the laying of the Epiphany monastery took place precisely on his initiative. About who was the first abbot of the monastery, the story is silent. It is only known that some time after its founding, the elder brother of Sergius of Radonezh Stefan became its abbot. The future Metropolitan of All Russia Alexy was also appointed rector of this monastery.
Prince Daniil Alekseevich
The founder of the Epiphany monastery himself was born in 1261. In fact, Prince Daniil Alekseevich is the ancestor of the Moscow line of the Rurikovich clan, that is, all subsequent kings. During his reign, Russia was under the yoke of the Golden Horde. Like all other princes of that time, he took part in internecine wars. However, he proved to be one of the most peaceful rulers. Among other things, Prince Daniil Alexandrovich cared about the faith of the people living on its territory. In addition to the Epiphany, he founded the Danilov Monastery, as well as the bishop's house on Krutitsy. Like many Russian princes, he was canonized by the church (in 1791). This saint is revered as the rightful Daniel.
It is conventionally believed that the Epiphany Monastery was founded in 1296, because it was at this time that Daniil Alekseevich accepted the title of Prince of Moscow.
Good location
The place for the construction of the Epiphany monastery "beyond the Bargain" was not chosen by chance. Firstly, the main Moscow road to Vladimir and Suzdal passed nearby. And secondly, in the immediate vicinity was the Kremlin. So it was very convenient for Prince of Moscow and Vladimir Daniel to attend services. In addition, the Neglinka River flowed in the immediate vicinity, which greatly facilitated the monks holding a Jordanian and organizing a procession on the feast day.
Since artisans and merchants lived in the Posad then around the monastery, it was originally called "what is behind the Market." In the future, the more accurate expression “what is next to Vetoshny near” was used, since in the immediate vicinity of the cloister there were counters of fur traders.
Fires
At the time of the founding of the monastery, almost all of Moscow was wooden. The Epiphany monastery was also originally built from logs. And, of course, soon, during one of the posad’s fires, the monastery burned down. When exactly this happened is unknown. The first years of the monastery’s life are generally shrouded in mystery for historians. However, there is evidence that in 1340, the son of Prince Daniel, Ivan Kalita, laid the first stone church on the territory of the monastery - a single-domed Epiphany church on four pillars and a high foundation. Thus, this cathedral became the first stone building erected outside the Kremlin.
The second time the Epiphany Monastery suffered from the fire in 1547. This misfortune happened six months after the wedding to the kingdom of I. Grozny. During the reign of the latter, the monastery, like all of Russia, experienced not the best of times. The walls of the monastery contained many disgraced boyars, princes, and clergy. In particular, it was here that Metropolitan Philip was imprisoned, who publicly condemned the king for organizing the oprichnina.
There were fires in the monastery and in subsequent years - in 1551, 1687, 1737. During the time of Troubles, the monastery was completely looted and burned by the Poles (1612). This time the kings of the Romanov dynasty had to rebuild the monastery. Subsequently, Patriarch Filaret was very concerned about the Epiphany monastery.
Another fire that destroyed the monastery was Moscow in 1686. This time, the monastery of Peter the Great, Natalya Naryshkina , restored the monastery . For the new Epiphany Cathedral, one of the then fashionable architectural directions of the Baroque was chosen. Nowadays this style is called Naryshkinsky.
Likhud Brothers School
Of course, very little attention was paid to the education of the common people in those distant times. Only a few ascetic monks taught the children of artisans and peasants. Moscow was no exception in this regard. The Epiphany Monastery became one of the few in which a school was organized. The Likhud brothers, who were very educated for that time, invited from Greece, taught in it. Later, their school was moved to the Zaikonospassky monastery. Later it was transformed into the famous Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy.
Rich monastery
This monastery burned, thus, very often. However, like all of Moscow. The Epiphany monastery, meanwhile, was restored almost always quickly. This monastery throughout its history has been one of the richest in Russia. Immediately after the founding of the monastery, the brothers began to receive large donations from Moscow princes and boyars. Kings also favored this holy place. So, for example, in 1584 Ivan the Terrible donated a large sum of money to the Epiphany Monastery to commemorate the slain disgraced. In 1632, the monastery received the right to duty-free alloy of building materials and firewood.
On the territory of the monastery there were once stables and a forge. Also, the monks profit from the rental of premises. In different years of the Epiphany monastery, noble people sacrificed land. So did Prince Vasily III, Ivan the Terrible, Boris Godunov, Sheremetyevs and others. In 1672, the noblewoman K. Repnina transferred the property to Nikolskaya Street to the monastery. Thus formed the second courtyard of the monastery. Residential stone chambers separated it from the first.
Cathedral of the Epiphany Monastery in Moscow: architectural features
The main temple of the monastery includes two churches - the upper and lower. The first was illuminated once in the name of the Epiphany proper. The lower church is the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. In this temple, during the time of the Romanovs, there was a large necropolis with tombs of the most noble families of Russia - the Sheremetyevs, Golitsyns, Saltykovs and others.
The Epiphany Church is oriented vertically - an octagon is standing on the four, in turn, crowned with a chapter, which also has 8 faces. Even today, the tower of the Epiphany Church majestically rises above the modern buildings of Nikolskaya Street. The facades of the cathedral are richly decorated with carvings. Window frames with ridges and figured columns look especially impressive. A bell tower with a spire is built above the western entrance to the cathedral. Between the refectory and the quadrangle of the temple there is a gallery with additional aisles. In addition to the icons, the interior is decorated with sculptural compositions "Christmas", "Coronation of the Virgin" and "Baptism".
Other churches of the monastery
In addition to the Epiphany, two more Orthodox churches once operated on the territory of the monastery. The first was consecrated in the name of the Nativity of John the Baptist. This gate church was dismantled in 1905 in order to build a tenement house. The second gateway church stood before the revolution. It was destroyed in the 20s.
The cloister in Soviet times
The monastery was closed in the very first years of the Bolshevik rule. Services in the Epiphany Cathedral were discontinued in 1929. The premises of the monastery were adapted for a dormitory for students of the Mining Academy, as well as the office of Metrostroy. Later, metalworking workshops operated on the territory of the monastery.
During the Second World War, the monastery was almost destroyed. A wrecked German bomber fell right next to her. The houses on the next street fell apart. Falling, the plane demolished the head of the cathedral. The diocese of Moscow restored it already in the 90s.
In the 80s, historical research and archaeological excavations were carried out on the territory of the monastery . The monastery was transferred to believers in 1991.
Surviving buildings
Unfortunately, the monastery was not restored even after the transfer of the Russian Orthodox Church. At present, in its territory, in addition to the Epiphany Cathedral, only monastic cells and abbot chambers of the 18th-19th centuries have survived. Also in the monastery there is a building of modern construction - the administrative building erected in the 50s of the last century. Today the diocese of Moscow conducts restoration work on the territory of the complex.
Address
Today, believing Christians have an excellent opportunity to visit the most beautiful Epiphany Cathedral for prayer, and tourists to explore the territory of one of the oldest monasteries in Russia. The monastery is located at: Moscow, Bogoyavlensky Lane, 2. In the immediate vicinity of it is the entrance to the metro station "Revolution Square".
Today, in the monastery, as once, religious services are held. As before, the Epiphany Monastery (Moscow) is visited by believers. Unction, baptism, wedding - all these rites can be held in his only temple. Near the monastery there is another attraction, this time modern, - a monument to the Enlightenment brothers Likhudam. This monument was erected in Epiphany Lane in 2007.
Epiphany Monastery (Moscow): the schedule of services today
Of course, it is better to visit the territory of the monastery at a time when services are being held in its temple. Their schedule may vary depending on church holidays. On May 1, 2016 (Easter) it looked, for example, like this:
The exact schedule of services for a given day can be found on the official website of the Church of the Epiphany in Moscow.