Russia has a rich history and vast territory where interesting places are scattered. Turquoise lakes, cliffs and stone blocks surrounded by legends, picturesque forests and full-flowing rivers are complemented by handmade miracles. The architectural masterpieces of antiquity and modernity make one admire the human mind and its hard work. Among the main buildings of Russia are amazing cathedrals, temple complexes and monasteries.
Metropolitan Novodevichy Convent is a building that brings to the face of the city the features of humility and repentance, calls for piety and compassion for its neighbors. It is located in the bend of the Moscow River, on the territory of Khamovniki, called the Maiden Field. The female Orthodox monastery, Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, was founded in 1524. Grand Prince Vasily III, father of Ivan the Terrible, who laid the wooden church after the capture of Smolensk, had a hand in its creation. They placed a copy of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk, considered the patroness of the Russian army.
Novodevichy Convent was often home to the noble people of the country who wanted to distance themselves from the worldly fuss. It also happened that people who were objectionable to the king of aristocracy or members of princely kin were forcibly settled behind the strong walls of the monastery. Tsarina Irina, Boris Godunov, Tsarevna Sophia, Miloslavskaya sisters, Evdokia Lopukhina and many other representatives of the โsecular beau mondeโ lived here in peace and tranquility.
The architectural ensemble "Novodevichy Convent" is included in the UNESCO List. It consists of fourteen buildings, among which there are household and residential buildings, as well as eight different temples. All sacred structures of the monastery were built at different times. The most ancient is the Cathedral of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, built in 1524-1525. Outwardly, it resembles the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin, therefore it is often called a miniature of the main Moscow landmark.
Novodevichy Convent is famous for its luxurious interior decoration. The interiors of the churches are amazed by the old carved iconostasis, wonderful paintings, paintings in several tiers. Everything sparkles with gilding. The complex is surrounded by a brick wall with twelve towers, which served as a guard during the hostilities.
There is also the Novodevichy Convent in St. Petersburg. Until the middle of the eighteenth century in the Northern Capital of Russia there was no convent. In 1746, Empress Elizaveta Petrovna ordered the construction of the monastery, where she intended to settle on her declining years. Today, an impressive stone cathedral rises on Moskovsky Avenue, over which the architect Kosyakov worked. The beautiful Byzantine-style building is decorated with murals, cast reliefs and majolica.
Like many shrines, after the revolution, these two ancient monasteries were closed and converted for other needs. They arranged warehouses, production shops, museums. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, society again began to look for the path to truth and light, so the church services resumed. Everyone today can bow to famous icons and turn to the saints for help.