Today, the Epiphany-Anastasiin Monastery is located in the heart of Kostroma, near the main attractions. It was founded back in 1426. Then he was on the very outskirts of the city. Nikita Kostroma, being a pupil and follower of Sergius of Radonezh himself, is considered the founder of the monastery. Today the monastery is of great value to the Orthodox world.
Background
Hard time preceded the foundation of the monastery. In the 15th century, Russia was constantly subjected to raids by the Mongol-Tatars. Princes fought among themselves. Initially, all the buildings of the monastery were made of wood. It consisted of two cathedrals: the main Epiphany and Nikolaev. In the 16th century, the abbot of the monastery decided to replace the Epiphany Cathedral with a stone one. Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia Macarius agreed to this. In 1559, the construction of a new church began thanks to the generous donations of cousin Ivan the Terrible Vladimir Staritsky.
The construction of the cathedral took six years. It was built by masters from Rostov. Consecrated the monastery in 1565. At that time it was one of the most magnificent and beautiful buildings in the city.
The fate of the new cathedral
Some time after the construction of the new cathedral, Staritsky, together with the ministers of the monastery, came under royal reprisal. Staritsky, Abbot Isaiah, and several other ministers of the monastery were killed by imperial order. In the basement of the cathedral is still the grave of Isaiah. The trouble did not leave the monastery for a minute. He was attacked and looted several times by Polish interventionists, who not only robbed, but also killed the inhabitants of the monastery. Over time, all the invaders were expelled from Russia. The Kostroma Epiphany-Anastasiin monastery began to be restored and expanded. In the 17th century, its territory consisted of several stone buildings.
Epiphany Cathedral expands
In 1618, the Three Saints Fortress was erected on the territory of the cathedral. Construction began back in 1607. The refectory, bakery, sacristy chamber and storage rooms were placed in the building of the fortress. In 1613, the Epiphany-Anastasiin Monastery was surrounded by a gallery and connected with the Three Saints Fortress and St. Nicholas Church by a stone isthmus. In the 17th century, a belfry was erected in honor of Sergius of Radonezh and several more utility rooms were built. Around the monastery was a wooden fence, which was also replaced by a stone one.
Guri Nikitin and Sila Savin directed the decoration of the monastery with wall paintings. Today, several frescoes decorate the walls of neighboring cloisters. For example, a painting depicting the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God is today in the Smolensk Church. Moreover, this is her main shrine.
Hard times
The 18th century was not easy for the Epiphany monastery. The monastery fell into decay. New temples and buildings were not needed. Temple attendants were gradually removed as unnecessary. So, out of several hundred only 17 people remained. At that time, only the little Nikolskaya Church, built near the grave of M.P. Saltykov at the expense of his wife, saw the light of day. All the estates belonging to the monastery were also taken away.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the Kostroma Theological Seminary was organized in the monastery. In 1924, one of the towers, decorated with a fresco of the icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk, was rebuilt in the Smolensk Church, which still functions today.
In 1847, disaster struck the monastery again. The big fire almost completely swallowed the whole city. The Epiphany Monastery was also badly damaged. The walls remained intact, but inside everything was completely burned out. The wooden buildings collapsed. In 1848, the monastery decided to close, and in its place to organize a theological seminary. The ministers were invited to move to another monastery, located near Kostroma.
In the following decades, the monastery buildings were dismantled in bricks. The Trinity Church was completely destroyed. The same fate befell the belfry, and the gallery, and St. Nicholas Church. The cathedral also had to be destroyed. But local citizens stood up for his defense, and the temple was preserved.
Cathedral restoration
The Epiphany Monastery was decided to unite with the Anastasia Holy Cross Exaltation. Since then, the cathedral began to be called so: Kostroma Epiphany-Anastasia Monastery. Bishop Plato, who at that time headed the Kostroma pulpit, and Mother Superior Maria, the abbess of the Anastasia Convent, took an active part in the merger of the two cloisters. In 1864, the first worship was held in the new monastery.
The restoration of the ancient cathedral was not without its expansion. In the old temple they decided to place the altar. In 1869, the new Epiphany-Anastasiin monastery was opened. It held the first solemn service. In the new cathedral there are two thrones dedicated to the Epiphany of the Lord and the great martyr Anastasia.
Other monastery buildings were also gradually restored. A bell tower was built from the western tower. Restored and St. Nicholas Church. And even built several residential buildings for the ministers of the monastery.
Something from the life of the monastery
In 1887, he again suffered from the fire of the city of Kostroma. The Epiphany-Anastasiin convent, fortunately, was practically not injured. In 1889, the faithful abbess of the monastery, Maria, passed away. Her tomb is located in the cathedral.
The temple was often visited by members of the imperial family. In 1913, the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty was celebrated here. In wartime, the walls of the monastery served as a hospital. In 1919 the monastery had to be closed. In its place, a working village grew, but the main cathedral continued to work for another 6 years. In 1925 he was transferred to the Kostroma State Archives.
New life of the monastery
In 1990, the monastery began to revive. In 1991, he was given the miraculous Theodore Icon of the Mother of God. The territory of the monastery was quickly transformed. New buildings were built on it, the monastery wall was restored, and even several hotels were built for ministers and frequent visitors to the monastery. Opened a children's shelter. The Epiphany Anastasiyin Convent in Kostroma was again filled with life. Hundreds of pilgrims, tourists and just the inhabitants of the city came to its walls for God's grace. This is truly a holy place filled with spiritual bliss. Having visited Kostroma, you must definitely visit the monastery. The charge of spiritual energy is provided for a long time.
Shrines of the Epiphany-Anastasia Monastery
Over the entire existence of the monastery, several amazing shrines appeared within its walls. Here is a fresco - an icon of the Smolensk Mother of God. You can receive special mercy by touching the holy relics of the Monk Nikita of Kostroma. Here are the relics of the Monk Timon, the Nadeevsky elder. Particles of the relics of 278 saints were handed over to the Bogoroditsky Igritsky Monastery and are resting today in the monastery. Particles of the Lord Robe, belts and vestments of the Blessed Virgin Mary, transferred from the Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery are also stored here. The main shrine is the Theodore Icon of the Mother of God.
Epiphany-Anastasiin Monastery (Kostroma) is located on the street. Simanovskogo, 26. From public transport trolleybuses No. 2 and 7 and buses No. 1 and 2 go there. Stops - Pyatnitskaya Street or Factory Kitchen.