In the XIII century, Prince Daniil, one of the sons of Alexander Nevsky, five kilometers from the Kremlin, on the banks of the Moskva River, the Danilov Monastery was founded. In Moscow, he became the first male monastery. A wooden church erected on its territory was dedicated to Daniel Stolpnik.
Prince Daniel
Prince Daniel was born in Vladimir-on-Klyazma in 1261. In 1272, the principality of Moscow, which was poor at that time, was transferred to him by lot by lot. During his reign, he established himself as a meek and peaceful statesman. In the war, Prince Daniel participated only once, having defeated the Tatar detachment sent by Prince Konstantin for the annexation of Moscow lands in the vicinity of Pereslavl of Ryazan. Having won, contrary to all expectations, he did not capture Ryazan. He captured the prince Vladimir in very good conditions until reconciliation. The wisdom and mercy of Daniel was noticed, and he became very respected by other princes and common people.
In 1269, he becomes the Grand Duke of All Russia. Prince Daniel ruled for about 30 years. By the way, it was he who laid the foundation for the unification of Russia, fragmented in those days, around a single capital - Moscow. The prince died at the age of 42 and was buried in the Danilov monastery founded by him.
The history of the monastery
The Danilov Monastery experienced many different events during its existence. In Moscow in 1330, at the Church of the Savior on Bor (the Kremlin), a new monastery was founded - Spasskaya. The brotherhood of the Danilovsky monastery was transferred here. In 1490, the Spassky Monastery was moved to Krutitsky Hill and was called Novospassky. Danilovskaya monastery for a long time was in complete disrepair. It began to revive only under Ivan the Terrible. It was during his reign that the first stone temple was erected here.
Such a disaster as a fire also did not bypass the ancient Danilov Monastery. In Moscow at the beginning of the seventeenth century there were troubled times. Arson cloister fled from the capital False Dmitry II. However, soon the monastery was rebuilt, moreover, the temple was surrounded by a stone wall with seven towers. The monastery also suffered in the war of 1812. Then he was plundered and desecrated by the French. In particular, they stole a silver salary that adorned the tomb of Prince Daniel.
At different times, such famous people as N.V. Gogol, N.G. Rubenstein, V.G. Perov and others were buried in the cemetery near the monastery at different times. However, the churchyard has not survived to this day. Now in its place is a chapel.
The cloister after the revolution
In 1918, the monastery was officially closed, but the monks lived in it until 1930. From that time until 1983, a children's colony and warehouses were located here. The monks, for the most part, were shot in the 30s. The graves of famous people were transferred to other places.
The restoration of the monastery
In 1983, the Danilovsky Monastery was the first to be returned to believers. By 1988, on the millennium of the baptism of Russia, the almost completely ruined monastery was restored and restored. The complex was returned to the form that it had in the XVII-XIX centuries.
Today the monastery takes an active part in the life of society. For example, the monastery even has its own website. Danilovsky Monastery in Moscow is considered the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church. Here is the residence of the Holy Patriarch. His viceroy is currently Archimandrite Alexei. Under his leadership, a huge amount of the most diverse Orthodox literature is published in the monastery. For example, it is here that the Danilovsky Evangelist series, known to all believers, is published, which contains biographies of Orthodox devotees of the 20th century.
Description of the complex
The main temple of the monastery - the temple of the Holy Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils - is a complex architectural structure, including seven churches. On the ground floor there is a church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin. The largest cathedral of the complex is Troitsky, built in 1838 by the architect O. Beauvais. Here are the miraculous icons of John Cassian of Rome and the Mother of God “Three Hands”. During restoration work on the territory, the churches of the saints Simeon Stolpnik and Serafim Sarovsky were restored, as well as two chapels - an overlay and a memorial.
Danilovsky Monastery in Moscow. Shrines
The most important shrine of the monastery is considered the miraculous relics of Prince Daniel, its founder. It was thanks to them that the restoration of the monastery began during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. After the transfer of the monks to the Spassky monastery in Danilovsky, only a small church and cemetery remained. However, miracles and healing of the sick began to occur on the grave of Prince Daniel. Most likely, this was the impetus for the restoration of the monastery. The prince was counted among the saints in the XVII century. Then his powers were gained. After 1930, they were kept in the Church of the Resurrection of the Slovushev, located near the Danilovsky Monastery. Then they disappeared without a trace. In 1986, the Metropolitan of Washington transferred the monastery to the first particle of relics. Today, several parts are stored here, placed in icons, crayfish and the ark.
The icon of the Matrona of Moscow is another shrine that the Danilovsky Monastery in Moscow has at its disposal. Matron during life was a deeply religious person. She was born completely blind. On her body there was a bone bulge in the form of a cross. Already from the age of seven, she opened the gift of healing the sick. She died on the second of May 1952. For a long time, her grave in the Danilovsky cemetery was in ruins. Later, miraculous healings began to take place here. The relics of the saint were found in 1998. Now they are stored in the Pokrovsky convent.
Danilovsky Monastery in Moscow is the owner of other shrines. The most interesting can be called:
- The ark with the relics of St. Nicholas.
- Ark with the relics of Alexander Nevsky.
- Shoe of Spyridon of Trimyphuntus.
- Icon of Sergei Radonezh.
- Icon of Seraphim of Sarov.
Monastery today
Today the Danilovsky Monastery (address in Moscow: Danilovsky Val, 22) is a kind of “island of salvation” for the homeless and the poor. Many are provided shelter and blessings for dinners in the refectory. The monastery also has clothes for the needy - believers bring it. In addition, a hospital has been opened at the monastery, in which everyone who applies can receive help. Divine services are held daily.