The Resurrection New Jerusalem Monastery has a rich history, which is closely interconnected with the memory of its founding father - Patriarch Nikon. His Holiness loved this monastery very much and lived here for about eight years after he was removed from Moscow. The monk directed all his strength to realize his own plan: a monastery was to be created in the Moscow region, which would be an exact copy of the famous Church of the Resurrection of the Lord, located in Jerusalem. The cathedral fully reproduced the sacred images of the cave of the Holy Sepulcher, Mount Golgotha, the burial place and the Resurrection of Christ. The patriarch wanted the Orthodox people to contemplate the monastery as a place of holy passions.
Features of the territory
According to the architects, toponomy, topography, the construction of the monastery itself and the surrounding territory, which stretches for several tens of kilometers, were to recreate the image of the Holy Land and the main Christian shrines of Palestine. In the center of the enclosed space a monastery was founded - a temple city. The towers of the monastery acquired symbolic names - Gethsemane, Entrance Jerusalem. A fast and winding river flows through Russian Palestine. It complements and decorates the area surrounding the New Jerusalem Monastery. Istra is not the only water body in the territory. A cedar stream also flows around the monastery hill.
The New Jerusalem Monastery began to be erected in 1656, when Nikon was still in friendly relations with Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. With his allowance, construction went quickly, but was suspended for fourteen years after the patriarch’s exile. With the zeal of Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich, the good deed resumed. His holiest wish came true in his kingdom - to return to his beloved monastery. From the king, he received permission to return to New Jerusalem, but stopped on the way from exile and was buried.
After Nikon's death, construction continued, and in 1685 the cathedral was consecrated. The sacrament was held by Patriarch Joachim. A year later, the sovereign admirers of the Resurrection Cathedral decided to grant the church "eternally approved certificate" for all lands and estates.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the New Jerusalem Monastery was one of the most popular pilgrimage centers in the country. When a railroad track was laid nearby, the number of parishioners increased even more. In 1913, about 35 thousand people visited the monastery. With funds allocated by the monastery, a strange house for poor pilgrims and a hotel was erected. Even the members of the royal family made rich contributions to the sacristy.
Historical research
In the XIX century, a scientific study of the stages of the development of the monastery began. The largest historian of the temple was Archimandrite Leonid, who created a truly fundamental work “Historical Description of the Resurrection Monastery”. The manuscript was published in 1874 and contained not only a historical outline, but also the publication of many documents of scientific value, which are now completely lost. In addition, the archimandrite founded a museum in which personal items of Patriarch Nikon, icons, books, paintings, fabrics from the monastery’s collection were exhibited. To this day, the Resurrection New Jerusalem Monastery is famous for its museum.
Closing the cloister in revolution
In the time of troubles for Russia, by decision of the local county congress of soviets, the Newirusalimsky Monastery was closed. The property of the monastery was arrested and nationalized as prescribed. To this day, a memorial plaque has been exhibited in the collections of the operating New Jerusalem historic museum. It is engraved with an inscription that the Great Russian Revolution eliminated the "cult" Resurrection New Jerusalem Monastery and handed it over to the people. The cathedral ceased to serve. A little later, the most valuable items were removed from the sacristy and moved to the Armory.
Monastic affairs and the Great Patriotic War
In 1941, the monastery was in the midst of fierce battles for Moscow. Most of the buildings and buildings of the monastery were severely damaged, some of them were completely destroyed. Information about this even appeared at the Nuremberg trials. After the war, closer to the 50s, restoration work began in the monastery . The architectural complex of the monastery was raised from the ruins. Then, work was carried out to restore the interior decoration of the cathedral. The New Jerusalem Monastery revived by the grace of the Lord, Istra to this day flows through its territory, emphasizing the pacification and grandeur of the area.
Cathedral and modern history
In 1994, the Russian Orthodox Church announced the resumption of the activities of Russian Palestine. The New Jerusalem Monastery, whose restoration had not yet begun, received a new chapter. Patriarch Alexy II appointed the governor of the monastery - Archimandrite Nikita.
Since mid-2008, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church approved the head of the Dean Abbot Theophylact. In the same year, the patriarch himself visited the monastery, accompanied by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. They familiarized themselves with the buildings and agreed that much remains to be done to revive the former splendor of Russian Palestine. It was then that the monastery’s charitable foundation was created.
In 2009, the President signed a decree thanks to which measures were taken to recreate the historical appearance of the territory. Subsidies for the restoration of the monastery are allocated from the federal budget. According to the architects' plan, the whole area should take on its historical features, which the New Jerusalem Monastery is so famous for. When the restoration is over, the doors of the monastery will open wide for all pilgrims and parishioners.
Monastery museum
The art and historical-architectural museum of the monastery was founded in 1920. Today it is one of the largest and oldest state museums located in the suburbs. During the period of its existence, he experienced many shocks and transformations. In 1941, the building was almost destroyed by fascist invaders. Despite such severe damage, the memorial site has revived and is still actively developing to this day.
The modern museum has become a receptacle for more than 180 thousand exhibits, where unique collections of church utensils, foreign and domestic paintings, weapons, porcelain, rare print and manuscripts deserve close attention. You can see the collections of works of decorative art, graphics and paintings of the twentieth century. In the park area, directly under the open sky, there is a department of wooden architecture. Any tourist or pilgrim can explore the historical monuments of the XIX century: a mill, a chapel, peasant huts.
Today the museum is housed in a modern building, which was erected specifically near the monastery. It became more convenient to visit the New Jerusalem Monastery, the photo of which is presented below, thanks to this decision.
Excursion programs
First of all, an exclusive program that is designed for the winter season is worthy of attention. As part of this tour, an inspection of the architectural ensemble of the Resurrection Monastery is carried out. Sightseeing involves visiting the central part of the cathedral, the underground church of Saints Helena and Constantine, side chapels and much more. The program also includes horse riding and tea drinking with monastery pies. Visit is available for all age groups.
Excursion "Patriarch Nikon"
A museum worker during the tour talks about the fate of the founder of the monastery. His role in Russian history of the 17th century is widely covered. Walking in memorable places is carried out for adults and children. For the most nominal fee, you can explore the New Jerusalem Monastery, the cathedral and surrounding areas.
Particularly noteworthy is an excursion about Orthodox churches and church art in general. Here you can find useful information about the intricacies of the structure of Russian monasteries, church sacraments, objects and attributes of church art, which are used in worship. Museum visitors can make a real trip to the world of Russian icons, learning in full detail about the saints revered in Orthodoxy, the famous image of the “Holy Savior Not Made by Hands”, the formation of icon painting and the relationship to icons in antiquity.
Restoration work
To date, all measures have been taken to revive the monastery as one of the most important spiritual centers of Russia. Thanks to extensive restoration work, the museum of the Resurrection Monastery will become the main exhibition site of the Moscow Region. Here all necessary conditions for restoration, storage of historical collections of the New Jerusalem art museum will be recreated.
The museum will begin to function fully at the end of 2015. Its new building is almost three times the size of the old one. In addition to the exposition and exhibition zone, the restoration project provides for the creation of modern storage facilities, museum shops and cafes, and many cultural and educational zones. Despite the repair work, each parishioner or tourist can visit the New Jerusalem Monastery. Excursions are held regularly.
Now a publication is being prepared for release, which will cover all stages of the salvation and implementation of restoration work of the architectural ensemble of the New Jerusalem Monastery. It will be published many memoirs of contemporaries, documents and photographs.
All reconstruction work that the New Jerusalem Monastery is undergoing is planned to be completed by the end of next year, the museum will be restored a little earlier. The cloister will fully recover.
Resurrection Cathedral
Today it is the only monument of Russian art in which tiles were used for interior decoration. Parapets of galleries, ceramic friezes, inscriptions fully correspond to the division of the temple space. Doorways make out ceramic portals. In seven chapels, unique iconostases, which are also made of tiles, were preserved. The three-tiered iconostases, whose height reaches eight meters, are especially impressive. The Resurrection Cathedral of the New Jerusalem Monastery is striking in its beauty.
How to get to the monastery
An electric train departs from Moscow from the Riga station to the Istra station or Novoirusalimskaya station. Then you should transfer by bus or minibus and get to the Monastyr stop. In addition, there is a stop at the Tushino metro station, from where a scheduled bus leaves for Istra. It is better to buy tickets in advance so as not to stand in tedious lines.
If you mean a car trip, you should go to Volokolamsk highway. It is necessary to move past Nakhabino, Krasnogorsk, Snegirey, Dedovsk, through the city of Istra, the highway just resembles a monastery. On the territory there are special places where you can leave your own vehicle.
Tourists reviews
A visit to the monastery, even during repair work, becomes one of the most significant events for people. Even from afar, the cloister offers a magnificent view. As tourists say, this is a place that can be visited repeatedly. A special spirit reigns here, which remains with a person for several days after a trip to the monastery. According to those who visited the monastery, the Museum of the New Jerusalem Monastery gives very vivid impressions, in which interesting and informative excursion programs are held.
People in their reviews note the amazingly beautiful and unusual dome, wonderful walls, impressive with their splendor at first sight. This monastery stands out among all the other ancient temples of Russia, which is immediately noticeable for an experienced tourist. It is very interesting, according to the parishioners, to go through the main gate: first, the underground church is opened to the eye, then the main cathedral. Memories and impressions of such holy places remain for a long time.
It pleases other people that the monastery owns a large, spacious territory, there is a spring with holy water, places where you can ride horses, a lot of flowers, souvenir shops are open. All pilgrims, tourists, people whom you meet along the way, smile and shine with goodwill.
The monastery can be visited with children, which is encouraging for all families. If you wish, you can have a bite to eat with simple but tasty food and continue your inspection.
Instead of a conclusion
The territory of the monastery is a place where special goodness is felt. Even during the restoration of its appearance, the temple is open to parishioners and tourists who want to feel the spiritual depth of the prayed place and see firsthand all the beauty that the New Jerusalem Monastery represents. When the restoration is over, the territory and the museum will delight the parishioners with their restored interior and exterior decoration.