The John the Baptist Convent (Moscow) is a working monument of federal and even world significance. By its existence and architectural changes, one can trace almost the entire past of Moscow, with its conquest, fires and restoration. He could simply get lost in history and undergo barbaric destruction. But, thanks to the faith and efforts of many Russians, he still pleases our eyes.
Saint John the Baptist
This saint is revered in almost the same way as the Virgin Mary herself. After all, it was he who announced the future birth of Christ. And therefore, a huge number of temples and churches were erected in his honor, both in Russia and in the world. One of the most famous is the John the Baptist Convent in Moscow.
This extraordinary child was born in a family of worshipers of Zechariah and Elizabeth. He predicted his appearance to the father of the archangel Gabriel. He said that the unborn child is the Forerunner of the great messiah. Not believing, Zachariah paid with dumbness.
Until the age of 30, John was in the desert. He led the life of the righteous, for which he earned the respect and worship of the people of Jerusalem. He was often visited by the great sacrament of baptism. According to legend, Christ himself came to John. There, in the desert, in the Jordan River, he was baptized.
For their sermons and stories about the Messiah, as well as for exposing many of those in power, John the Baptist was cut off his head. Subsequently, part of his relics were given to various monasteries as shrines.
Architectural ensemble
The St. John the Baptist Convent is located almost in the heart of Moscow. It is located on a high picturesque hill that bends around the ancient route to Ryazan and Vladimir, called the "Solyanka".
This territory since ancient times belonged to the Russian grand-ducal house. Once there was a country residence and extensive gardens. They gave names to local monasteries and temples - in the "Old Gardens".
The appearance of the monastery and the surrounding territories was greatly influenced by fires, ruins and destruction. Therefore, it is impossible to see its original image today.
Initially, it was a classic one-domed temple. The architecture was attended by three vestibules. Therefore, from above the temple seemed cruciform.
Now we can only observe the restored complex, which was developed in the XIX century by the famous and respected academician Bykovsky.
In the center of the ensemble is its main part - the Cathedral with a huge faceted dome. The territory of the monastery is separated by an ancient stone wall. And near the main Holy Gates, two bell towers settled down. In the eastern part, a special hospital building with a church is visible. Moreover, absolutely all buildings are connected by galleries.
The cell-refectory corps has been preserved in the northwest. Today, this part of the complex is managed by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Unfortunately, it is gradually declining.
History of creation
The John the Baptist Monastery is a rather ancient building. After so many events that have taken place, there is practically no documentary evidence of its creation. Therefore, in some sources, the data is slightly different.
The first mention of this monastery can be found in the surviving chronicles of 1415. They described the birth of Prince Vasily II the Dark. Initially, this monastery was male. And only in 1530, after being transferred to Kulishki, in honor of the birth of John Vasilyevich, he was dedicated to the female.
The main holiday, on the day of which the festive exits of the kings took place, was August 29th. It was dedicated to the
beheading of John the Baptist. Moscow princes also visited the monastery on Easter. Then there was charity and colorful Easter eggs.
Another name appeared - John the Baptist Stavropegial Convent. Over time, he acquired new complexes and lands donated by the kings and those in power. However, it was destroyed as often as it was built. And at all times, this holy place had powerful and virtuous patrons.
The history of the monastery in Tsarist Russia
Despite the centuries-old past, the John the Baptist monastery gained the greatest recognition during the reign of Mikhail Fedorovich. They, with Tsarina Evdokia Lukyanovna, annually celebrated excursions to the monastery on the day of the commemoration of John the Baptist. At these times, the refectory, stone bell tower was completed and a new bell was cast.
Then the tradition for servants and princely families to take root in the monastery began to take root. The monastery contained deposits of these families, as well as deductions from the treasury of the sovereign.
The John the Baptist Convent underwent significant changes in architecture and general life during the reign of Peter I. Then a decree was adopted to replace the numerous wooden cells with stone ones. Over time, the social composition of the monks also changed. Now more and more people from the merchants and clergy began to lead the monastery.
After the burning of Moscow and the abolition of many monasteries, the John the Baptist Monastery was able to recover and even renew. This happened thanks to St. Philaret and Mary Mazurina.
USSR period
With the advent of "popular" power, Christianity and any other religion and its servants were brutally persecuted. The inhabitants of the Baptist Monastery were also persecuted. The new government decided to arrange special concentration camps in the monastery.
It was he who was first closed to parishioners. Authorities seized all bank accounts, confiscated movable and even real estate, and also closed the current infirmary. Thanks to denunciations, nuns and novices were persecuted and infringed in every way.
And already in 1931, all of its remaining inhabitants were arrested on unfounded and very common charges of anti-Soviet agitation. Many of the nuns were exiled to Kazakhstan.
By the 80s, almost the entire territory of the monastery was given over to municipal and administrative needs. Most belonged and still belong to the Ministry of Internal Affairs with departmental pools and a bathhouse. On the territory there were also a shooting gallery, a printing house and a storage of a special state archive.
Only after the collapse of the USSR did the John the Baptist Monastery begin to be gradually restored. Gradually, parishioners and ministers returned to it, and previously occupied premises began to be freed.
Famous inhabitants of the monastery
At different times, a variety of people visited it, from different classes and different ages. And, of course, each had their own reasons. Believers came here with a difficult fate or for atonement for sins.
During the years of tsarism, the John the Baptist Monastery was almost entirely supported by the money of the great princes. The entire wealthy class made certain contributions, participated in the life of the monastery. By the end of life, members of noble families left here. Here they buried their deceased relatives. And the monastery became a clan monastery for those in power.
But not only volunteers took tonsure. According to the royal decree, people who were objectionable and dangerous to the authorities were exiled to the monastery. One of the most famous inhabitants at the turn of the troubled XVIII-XIX centuries was the famous Princess Augusta Tarakanova. She, as the direct heir to the throne, the daughter of a secret marriage of
Elizabeth Petrovna and Razumovsky, was forcefully tonsured and deprived of the opportunity to live freely.
The famous torturer of the peasants, Saltychikha, was also imprisoned here. On her conscience more than 140 ruined souls. Daria Saltykova spent 11 years in the crypt. Then she was forced to live in a special open cage, in front of all parishioners.
There were also holy fools who were revered as saints. For example, a story tells of the nun Martha. She was respected by the wife of Mikhail Fedorovich, as an assistant in childbirth. And even after Martha’s death, the custom remained to serve on her grave to successfully resolve the pregnancy.
Shrines of the John the Baptist Monastery
Faith strikes many wonderful things. Of course, the place of erection of the monastery was chosen by ordinary people, and not by signs, like Leushinsky John the Baptist Convent. But for so many years, thanks to faith and worship, the Moscow monastery has earned the glory of the miraculous.
Over a centuries-old history, this place has accumulated enough items for worship. In addition to miraculous icons, the monastery has particles of holy relics:
- St. John the Baptist.
- Rev. Alexy.
- Apostle Matthew.
- St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
- Healer of the great martyr Panteleimon and many others.
St. John the Baptist Monastery (Vyazma)
In the name of the great Prophet, many churches and temples were built. In Russia, in addition to the Moscow monastery of the same name, the St. John the Baptist Monastery (Vyazma) is also known. It was founded in the Smolensk region, according to various sources, in 1536 or 1542.
At the beginning of the monastery’s history, it was visited by Russian sovereigns Boris Godunov and Ivan the Terrible. The period of Troubles and wars, he experienced almost the same as other monasteries. It was robbed and destroyed many times, and it is no longer possible to see its original appearance.
In the XVIII century, a special seminary was organized here, and then the Theological School. During the Soviet period, most of the complex was destroyed, and restoration work is ongoing to this day.