Lists of active male and female monasteries in Russia. The most beautiful, ancient and famous monasteries in Russia. The most ancient monastery in Russia

The list includes monasteries in Belarus, both active and lost (this is indicated next to the name of the monastery). Contents 1 Brest region 2 Vitebsk region ... Wikipedia

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This article lacks links to sources of information. Information must be verifiable, otherwise it may be questioned and deleted. You can... Wikipedia

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Solovetsky Monastery in 1915. Photo by S. M. Prokudin Gorsky The list includes monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church with ... Wikipedia

Demolition of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow ... Wikipedia

Engraving by A. Skino, 1853 based on the drawing by A. Ushakov “View of Vologda Cathedrals”, 1837 ... Wikipedia

List of temples demolished during Soviet power List of temples and monasteries demolished under Soviet rule As part of anti-religious propaganda in the USSR, a campaign of mass destruction of objects was carried out religious cult, in particular churches.... ... Wikipedia

List of books that the Russian Orthodox Church opposed. Throughout the history of its existence, the Russian Orthodox Church banned and destroyed books that were harmful from the point of view of church hierarchs. The article provides an incomplete list... ... Wikipedia

Books

• Milan. Brera Gallery, Lauber, Rosella. Gift edition bound in fabric with gold embossing and a dust jacket, enclosed in an original gift case. New album in the series "Great Museums of the World"! For the first time in Russia...
• Historical and statistical descriptions of the dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church (1848-1916). Union catalog and index of contents, Razdorsky A.. The publication reflects information from 54 historical and statistical descriptions of 40 Russian dioceses Orthodox Church(ROC) XIX - early XX centuries, published separately. Some of them are being introduced for the first time in...
• Orthodox monasteries in Russia and their role in the development of culture (XI - early XX centuries), Ya. E. Vodarsky, E. G. Istomina. In the monograph by Ya. E. Vodarsky and E. G. Istomina, “Orthodox monasteries in Russia and their role in the development of culture (XI-early XX centuries),” the process of founding monasteries over the centuries and…

There are places on earth, after visiting which they say that a person is charged with positive energy and begins to look at the world optimistically. Or vice versa - he learns a lot about the world and himself - a lot of new things. The paths of pilgrims from all over the world do not overgrow to such places.

I found an interesting site - Tips on budget travel!
There's news and travel notes, and advice from a Low Cost expert (that’s the name of this site), and economy routes, and information about airlines, and about online aircraft tracking sites, thanks to which you can track flights in real time. For me personally, this is a very important convenience that allows you to track flights in real time. Knowing exactly where the plane we are interested in is located is very convenient, especially in the absence mobile communications. However, you can read about this in detail on the website itself.

So, 7 places of power that at least every Russian should visit.

The Holy Vvedenskaya Optina Hermitage is one of the oldest monasteries in Russia, located on the banks of the Zhizdra River near the city of Kozelsk. The origins of Optina remain unknown. It can be assumed that it was not built by princes and boyars, but by the ascetics themselves, by calling from above through repentant tears, labor and prayer. What are pilgrims looking for in the Optina Desert? In the language of believers, this is called grace, that is special condition a soul that cannot be expressed in words.

Diveevo is called the Fourth Lot of the Mother of God on earth. The main shrine of the Diveyevo monastery - relics St. Seraphim Sarovsky. The Holy Elder invisibly but clearly consoles, admonishes, heals, opening the hardened souls of people who come to him to Divine love, and leads to Orthodox faith, to the Church, which is the foundation and establishment of the Russian land. Pilgrims come to fetch holy water from 4 springs, venerate the relics and walk along the holy ditch, which, according to legend, the Antichrist will not be able to cross.

This monastery is rightfully considered the spiritual center of Russia. The history of the monastery is inextricably linked with the fate of the country - here Dmitry Donskoy received his blessing for the Battle of Kulikovo, local monks, together with troops, defended themselves against the Polish-Lithuanian invaders for two years, here the future Tsar Peter I took the oath of boyars. To this day, pilgrims from all over the Orthodox world people come here to pray and feel the grace of this place.

A small town lost among lakes Vologda region, for centuries has been a place of concentration of the spiritual life of the entire Russian North. Here, on the shore of the lake, is the Kirillo-Belozersk monastery - a city within a city, the largest monastery in Europe. The gigantic fortress has withstood enemy siege more than once - two cars can easily pass each other on its three-story walls. Took tonsure here richest people of its time, and the sovereign’s criminals were kept in the dungeons. Ivan the Terrible himself favored the monastery and invested considerable funds in it. There is a strange energy here that gives peace. Next door are two more pearls of the North - Ferapontov and Goritsky monasteries. The first is famous for its ancient cathedrals and frescoes of Dionysius, and the second for nuns from noble families. Those who have visited the vicinity of Kirillov at least once return here.

An almost mythical place on the map of Russia - the Solovetsky archipelago is located in the middle of a cold White Sea. Even in pagan times, the islands were strewn with temples, and the ancient Sami considered this place holy. Already in the 15th century, a monastery arose here, which soon became a major spiritual and social center. A pilgrimage to the Solovetsky Monastery has always been a great feat, which only a few dared to undertake. Thanks to this, until the beginning of the 20th century, the monks managed to preserve a special atmosphere here, which, oddly enough, did not disappear over the years of hard times. Today, not only pilgrims come here, but also scientists, researchers, and historians.

Once upon a time there was one of the main Ural fortresses, from which several buildings remain (the local Kremlin is the smallest in the country). However, this small town became famous not for its glorious history, but for its great concentration Orthodox churches and monasteries. In the 19th century, Verkhoturye was a center of pilgrimage. In 1913, the third largest cathedral was built here Russian Empire- Holy Cross. Not far from the city, in the village of Merkushino, lived the wonderworker Simeon of Verkhoturye, the patron saint of the Urals. People from all over the country come to pray at the relics of the saint - it is believed that they cure diseases. Verkhoturye was included in our list as a unique place of prayer, which, unfortunately, few people know about.

Valaam is quite large for fresh water, a rocky and forested archipelago in the northern part of Lake Ladoga, the territory of which is occupied by one of the two “monastic republics” that existed in Russia. The permanent population of the archipelago is several hundred people, mostly monks, fishermen and foresters. In addition, there is a military unit and a weather station on the islands.

The time of foundation of the Orthodox monastery on the islands is unknown. One way or another, in early XVI centuries the monastery already existed; in the 15th-16th centuries, about a dozen future saints lived in the monastery, including, for example, the future founder of another “monastic republic” Savvaty Solovetsky (until 1429) and Alexander Svirsky. It was at this time that ships appeared on the neighboring islands. large quantities monastic hermitages. Unlike the Solovetsky archipelago, where the owner is a museum-reserve, on Valaam monastic traditions have been revived almost completely. All the monasteries operate here, the monastery also performs administrative functions on the islands, and the vast majority of visitors to Valaam are pilgrims. At the same time, monks are not the only inhabitants of Valaam. There are several fishing villages here, but the monks and lay people live isolated from each other. Throughout the entire area of ​​the island there are monasteries, “branches” of the monastery, about ten in total. The incomparable nature of the Valaam archipelago - a kind of “quintessence” of the nature of South Karelia - contributes to the pilgrim’s desire to move away from the bustle of the world and come to himself. Based on materials from http://russian7.ru

The operating monasteries of Russia are not only a cultural heritage of world significance, but also an important institution of Orthodoxy, where special energy and the fundamental teachings of the holy wonderworkers are born.

In the monasteries, elders and monks pray for the sinful souls of the whole world. Visiting active monasteries in Russia is not just about enjoying ancient temples and icons, everyone can touch amazing life saints and absorb a drop of wonderful, monastic energy.

After the collapse of the USSR, many monasteries resumed their work again, some were later restored by parishioners. All of them are open to pilgrims and parishioners; in some you can stay for several weeks as a volunteer, worker and novice.

Women's monasteries in Russia where you can come and live

You can come to many women’s monasteries in Russia to live for a few weeks and become a worker or a volunteer, that is, work and pray in the name of the Lord. Often women and girls come who are in serious life situations, are at a crossroads or want to help the monastery with their work.

According to many volunteers, this is an indescribable experience that lasts a lifetime and protects you from all adversity and difficulties.

Pokrovsky Monastery

Intercession women's stauropegial monastery, where the relics and miraculous icon Eldress Matrona can be called the most famous in Moscow.

Pilgrims and parishioners from all over Russia come here to touch the relics and icon of the Venerable Matrona. The saint favors girls, so pregnant girls or those who cannot find a life partner often come here. Here you can stay for several weeks and work in the monastery.

Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery

The monastery suffered greatly during the Soviet era, many nuns were forced to hide from the authorities, and lived as nuns in the world.

This is where he lived Reverend Wonderworker Seraphim of Sorov, where his relics are kept. Many parishioners talk about miracles that happened to them after veneration of the relics and the icon. After the collapse of the USSR, the monastery was restored and gained fame for healing diseases. Pilgrims come to pray for health, for the strength of faith, for healing from illnesses.

The monastery is located in the city of Diveevo near Arzamas.

St. Peter and Paul Convent

The monastery was created in the 13th century, but later abolished by Catherine the Great, and later reopened.

Various workshops operated here: icon painting and embossing, a parochial school and a hospital. During the USSR, the monastery was closed and revived only in 2002.

The monastery is located near Khabarovsk, where there is a special bus.

The largest Orthodox monasteries in Russia

The largest monasteries are not just individual monasteries, they are a whole, closed world with many complexes, temples, cathedrals and courtyards. Pilgrims, novices and volunteers from all over the Orthodox world go to such monasteries to pray for the health of their families, for the Glory of God and peace on earth.

Trinity-Sergius Lavra

One of the oldest complexes, which is located in the city of Sergiev Posad, not far from Moscow.

It was founded in the 14th century. Now it is a large ensemble of cathedrals and temples, where anyone can come. The Lavra contains the relics of 9 saints, including Sergius of Radonezh and Maxim the Greek.

Now the Lavra, in addition to the spiritual, religious life leads social projects and charity. Activists help people military service in prison and in a difficult life situation.

Pskov-Pechersky Monastery

Famous monastery, whose life is described in the book “Unholy Saints.”

An ancient monastery-fortress, one of the few monasteries that continued its work in the USSR. Here are miraculous icons, lives and relics of Saints; the famous Archimandrite John Krestyankin lived in the monastery. You can come here on an excursion and remain a novice and volunteer.

In addition to the main temples, there are caves on the territory where monks lived and prayed. They can be visited by special appointment.

The monastery is located in Pskov.

Valaam Monastery

The monastery is located on the island of Valaam on Lake Ladoga, near the border with Finland.

The large courtyard and complex of temples and cathedrals are visited by thousands of people every day. Here you can stay as a novice and volunteer, and also pray for the health of your family or go on an excursion.

The most famous monasteries in Russia

Almost every resident of Russia knows about these monasteries; their centuries-old history, miraculous icons and miracle-working Saints who served in the monasteries have made them immortal.

Optina Pustyn

One of the most famous and revered monasteries in Russia. People come here from all over Russia to seek help and advice from the elders.

Miraculous icons and prayer help to find health, faith and love. You can get to the monastery from the city of Kozelsk, which is located in the Kaluga region.

Novodevichy Convent in Moscow

The large courtyard is located in Moscow and has centuries-old history.

It was here that Princess Sophia, the elder sister of Peter I, spent the rest of her days. You can visit the convent as a parishioner, and also become a novice. Single girls often come here to pray, seeking help in finding a life partner.

Alexander-Svirsky Monastery

The men's monastery was founded in the 15th century by the saint, Reverend Alexander of Svirsky among dense forests, in the habitat of the pagan tribes of Corellas, Vepsians and Chuds.

The saint is famous for his religious exploits, which are described in his life and recounted in the temple. In the temple there are special places of worship and the appearance of the holy spirit to Alexander Svirsky.

Here lie the relics of Alexander Svirsky, a consecrated copy of the famous Shroud of Turin, which over time began to flow myrrh. People come from all over the country to see and pray at the great shrine.

Stavropegic monasteries of Russia

Stavropegic monasteries are those monasteries that are directly subordinate to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', as well as the synod, and are not subject to local dioceses.

Donskoy Monastery

The monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Russia; it was founded in the 16th century by the Tsar of All Rus' Feodor Ivanovich.

Cultural and architectural monument has a centuries-old history. It was plundered during the French invasion and closed during the Soviet period, but it is operating again and welcomes parishioners to the temple. The monastery is located near the center of Moscow. Here is the miraculous Don Icon of the Mother of God.

Monastery address: Donskaya Square, 1-3.

Ioannovsky Stavropegic Convent

John of Kronstadt founded the monastery at the beginning of the 20th century in honor of St. John of Rila. The holy abbot spent his entire life and found peace in the monastery. During Soviet times, the monastery was closed.

The monastery was restored in the 90s and acquired the status of stavropegic. Nuns talk about amazing wonders and healings that have taken place in the monastery over the past 30 years.

The most ancient monastery in Russia

The Murom Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery in the city of Murom is mentioned in chronicles earlier than other monasteries in 1096; the founding date is attributed to 1015, that is, 25 years after the Baptism of Rus'.

Founded by the son of Grand Duke Vladimir, Gleb, the monastery has come a long way for thousands of years. During Soviet times it was closed and a military unit was located there until 1995. Now it has been restored and is open to all parishioners.

Murom Monastery is part of gold ring Russia and is a monument to Old Russian architecture of the early Christian period.

The most remote monasteries in Russia

The Solovetsky Monastery is one of the most ancient and remote monasteries in Russia, located on the Solovetsky Islands in the Arkhangelsk region. It is a stauropegic monastery.

The relics of the first founders, St. Zosima, Savvaty and Herman are kept here. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a monument of Old Russian architecture.

IN Soviet era the monastery was a prison for political prisoners and clergy.

The harsh climate makes travel to the monastery limited in autumn and winter. The most convenient way to travel by sea in the summer is from the city of Kem.

Temples were often founded far from worldly life, alone with harsh nature. The Solovetsky and Valaam monasteries are difficult-to-reach monasteries for parishioners. In addition to them, Kozheozersky is far from the settlements Epiphany Monastery. It is located in the Arkhangelsk region on Lake Kozheozero.

The monastery was founded in the 16th century; Nikon, the future, famous patriarch of all Rus', was here as abbot.

The monastery invites pilgrims, sisters in obedience and volunteers.

Monasteries of Russia with miraculous icons

The Vysotsky Monastery was founded in the 14th century by Sergius of Radonezh.

The monastery houses the famous miraculous icon “The Inexhaustible Chalice”, which relieves alcoholism. People from all over the country come to the monastery to pray for the health of loved ones and in search of help from terrible addiction. The Vysotsky Monastery is located in the city of Stupino, not far from Moscow.

Tikhvin Mother of God Assumption Monastery

The monastery was founded in the 16th century on the banks of the Tikhvinka River.

One of the main shrines is located here Orthodox religion- the miraculous Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God. Ivan the Terrible revered her and considered her his patroness.

The icon has healing and military properties. According to legend, she protects Russian troops.

According to legend, during the Great Patriotic War The icon was transported by plane around Moscow, protecting it from the attack of the Nazis.

Cave monasteries of Russia

Rock monasteries are special monasteries that were founded by hermit monks, leaving worldly life. They evoke admiration and amaze with their interior decoration, because they were literally cut into the rocks.

Trinity Skanov Monastery

In the 19th century, hermit monks retired from worldly life and built a small chapel in the cave.

There are 2.5 km of passages deep into the rock to the lowest tier, where there is a source of clean, holy water. During Soviet times, the temple was looted and dismantled, as a result of which many passages collapsed. IN recent years Active restoration work is underway.

Holy Dormition Monastery in Bakhchisarai

The monastery was founded in the 6th century in a rock according to the research of scientists.

She went through a difficult period while in the territory Crimean Khanate, and was persecuted. It was forgotten for a long time, but was revived in the 19th century.

Now the monastery is open to the public, parishioners can go on a tour and collect water from the holy springs.

Monasteries have an important place in Orthodox life Rus'. The distinctive features of the monasteries are:

• serving by faith and truth to God and the church;
• renunciation of worldly vanity;
• participation in religious services;
• execution work assignments related to everyday life;
• participation in construction work aimed at the restoration of church buildings.

List of monasteries operating in Russia: distinctive features, functions

The main feature monastic life is the strict observance by novices of the rules, vows, the fulfillment of which is the right way know yourself, receive the blessing of the Lord.

Among the men's monasteries, one can highlight active monasteries, which are visited by pilgrims to venerate the miraculous icons. Many of the faces, such as the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery, became known thanks to their placement in art galleries. And in the Pskov-Pechersk Church they keep the icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God.

Russian monasteries are known as monuments of ancient architecture and the history of Christianity.

For many monasteries, attracting new novices is considered important. And there are many people who would like to escape from everyday worries.

Before you decide to go to monasteries that accept you, you need to understand yourself. Everyone must understand whether he is able to:

• be humble and patient;
• work daily with soul and body;
• give up worldly vanity, bad habits;
• to sincerely love God and neighbors.

Life in a monastery is hard, suitable for those who truly believe. Before becoming a monk, a person will have to go through several stages.

At first he becomes a laborer, working in the garden, cleaning rooms, strictly following the rules of life in the monastery.

And only three years later, at the request of the worker, he is transferred to novices. Monastic tonsure is accepted by those who have been able to confirm by deeds their readiness to become a monk. A man who wants to work in monasteries must fill out a form on the website of the chosen temple before the trip.

There are monasteries for the treatment of alcoholics on a voluntary basis. Within the walls of the temple, the man will try to cope with the problem himself. At some monasteries, rehabilitation centers have been created and operate, where they influence the broken psyche of the drinker.

Over time, the life of a person who once suffered from alcoholism returns to normal. He is constantly busy and has no time to lead an idle life. Work helps to achieve complete recovery.

Prayer for drunkenness

Full list monasteries consists of:

1. Alexander-Athos Zelenchuk male desert in Karachay-Cherkessia.
2. Ambrosiev Nikolaevsky Dudin Monastery Yaroslavl region.
3. Artemiev-Verkolsky Monastery Arkhangelsk region.
4. Annunciation Ion-Yashezersky Monastery.
5. Bogolyubskaya male monastery of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
6. Vysokopetrovsky Monastery in Moscow.
7. Hermogenian male desert.
8. Gethsemane men's monastery Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
9. Zaikonospassky Monastery in the city of Moscow.
10. Zaonikievskaya Mother of God-Vladimir men's hermitage Vologda region.
11. Innokentyevsky men's monastery Irkutsk.
12. Michael-Arkhangelsk Ust-Vymsky Monastery in the Komi Republic.
13. Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery on the island of Lake Ladoga .
14. St. Michael Athos Monastery Adygea.
15. Gabriel-Arkhangelsk Metochion city ​​of Blagoveshchensk.
16. Nikitsky Monastery in Pereslavl-Zalessky.
17. Nilo-Stolobenovskaya desert Tver diocese.
18. Nikolo-Shartomsky Monastery Ivanovo region.
19. St. Nicholas Tikhon Monastery Kineshma and Palekh diocese.
20. Holy Ascension Monastery of Kremen on the Don.
21. Alatyr Holy Trinity Hermitage.
22. Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
23. Spaso-Kukotsky Monastery.
24. Holy Dormition Pskov-Pechersky Monastery.
25. Florishchevoy male desert.
26. Yuryev Monastery.
27. Yaratsky Prophetic Monastery.

The list of active men's monasteries in Russia includes both small monasteries and large laurels, known throughout the Orthodox world. Many temples, once destroyed, are being restored and restored.

The most popular is the largest monastery of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, which is protected by UNESCO as a unique architectural monument.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, video

The oldest is the Holy Dormition Pskovo-Pechersky Monastery, founded at the end of the 15th century. Together with the fatherland, the walls of the monastery withstood the onslaught of the conquerors, preserving the wealth of the iconostasis.

Many monasteries are located in picturesque places, far from big cities. It’s not for nothing that some of them are called deserts.

Monasteries attract not only those who want to change their lives, but also tourists as excellent examples of Russian Orthodox culture.

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On days of fasting, during a period of special abstinence and fervent prayer, Orthodox Christians make pilgrimages to holy places and springs. We offer a selection of the oldest monasteries in Russia, where you can go these days with an excursion program or for obedience.

The oldest monasteries are located in eight regions of Russia - Arkhangelsk, Vladimir, Vologda, Nizhny Novgorod, Novgorod, Kaluga, Pskov regions and Karelia.

1. St. George's Monastery

According to legend, the monastery in Veliky Novgorod was founded by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, baptized George. The prince built there wooden church in the name of the Holy Great Martyr George. For a long time, the monastery owned vast lands and carried out complex agricultural activities. It is known from the chronicle that in 1333 the walls of the monastery were strengthened “by 40 fathoms with fences...”.

However, under Catherine II, part of the lands of the Yuriev Monastery went to the state, but the monastery still remained on the list of the 15 most significant monasteries in Russia. New life The men's monastery will be received in the 19th century, under the abbot Father Photius. New cathedrals and cells, a bell tower were built on the territory, and rare and expensive icons appeared in the monastery.

The revival of the ancient monastery did not last long: already in the 20s of the 20th century the monastery was closed and plundered. During the Great Patriotic War, German and Spanish units were stationed in the monastery, and in peacetime there was a technical school, post office, school, museum, and homeless people lived here. In 1991, the monastery was returned to the church. Since then, monastic life gradually began to return to the monastery, bells began to sound, and the Divine Liturgy was celebrated every day.

2. Spaso-Preobrazhensky Solovetsky Monastery

The monastery was founded by the monks Zosima and Herman, who arrived in the middle of the 15th century on Bolshoi Solovetsky Island and settled by the sea. According to legend, Zosima saw a white church in the heavenly radiance, where a wooden church with a parish and a refectory was subsequently erected. Since the middle of the 16th century, the territory of the monastery has grown into pastures and farmland. The monks cooked salt and farmed. The monastery became a powerful outpost on the northern border of the country. To maintain combat effectiveness, Ivan the Terrible assigned the monastery its own artillery and strengthened the walls of the monastery.

There was also a prison at the monastery. Even before the advent of Soviet power, apostates and state criminals. During Soviet times, the Solovetsky Monastery acquired an exclusively negative connotation. Political prisoners and clergy were sent here. Together with the convoy, the number of prisoners did not exceed 350 people.

During the war years, a school for cabin boys of the Northern Fleet was opened on Solovki, which was transformed into the Solovetsky Reserve, which continued to exist even after the resumption of the monastic community.

In 1992, the Solovetsky Monastery complex was included in the list World Heritage UNESCO, three years later to the State Code of Particularly Valuable Objects cultural heritage peoples of the Russian Federation.

3. Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery

The monastery was founded by followers of Sergius of Radonezh: Cyril and Ferapont Belozersky dug a cave on the shore of Lake Siverskoye, from which the creation of the monastery began. The territory of the monastery gradually grew and already in the middle of the 15th century the monks were actively trading in fish and salt, which made it a major economic center.

The main attraction was the monastery library. Collections and chronicles of past centuries were kept here; the final edition of “Zadonshchina” was also compiled here.

It is known that in 1528 Vasily III came here with his wife Elena Glinskaya to pray for an heir. After this prayer, the future Tsar Ivan the Terrible was born, and before last days Vasily III had special feelings for the monastery and before his death he accepted the schema and became an ascetic of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery; Ivan the Terrible himself went there before his death.

Like many other northern monasteries, Kirillo-Belozersky served as a place of imprisonment for the clergy and nobility. For example, the disgraced Patriarch Nikon, Ivan Shuisky and others visited here.

Until the times of Peter the Great, the monastery concentrated cultural, historical, economic and defensive functions; it was a real fortress of the Vologda region. However, with the accession of Catherine II to the throne, part of the land was taken out of ownership, and the city of Kirillov was organized from the monastery settlement.

During the atheistic years, the monastery was plundered, and its abbot, Bishop Barsanuphius of Kirill, was shot. The territory became a museum-reserve, and only in 1997 the monastery was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church.

4. Deposition of the Robe Convent

The monastery was founded in early XIII centuries with exclusively wooden buildings. Several centuries later, stone structures and the oldest that has survived to this day is the Robe Deposition Collection, erected at the beginning of the 16th century. In 1688, the entrance to the monastery was decorated with double-tented gates.

Next to the monastery there was another monastery, built as if in addition - Trinity, which was intended for widows who had taken monastic vows. Their territories were in close contact and in 1764 the Trinity Monastery was abolished and the lands passed to the “elder brother”.

At the beginning of the 19th century, in honor of the victory over Napoleon, a 72-meter bell tower was erected in the monastery. In 1882, the monastery received another building - the Sretenskaya Refectory Church. At this point, the period of development of the Deposition of the Robe Monastery ends, giving way to theomachism.

In 1923, the monastery was closed, its bells were sent for melting down, and guards of the political isolation ward located in the neighboring monastery were stationed in the premises. A power plant was established in the Cathedral of the Deposition of the Robe, and the holy gate was used as a hot storage area.

In 1999, the monastery was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church and reopened as the Deposition of the Robe Convent.

5. Murom Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery

According to legend, the monastery was founded back in 1015 and its foundation is associated with the Murom prince Gleb Vladimirovich, however, “The Tale of Bygone Years” points to the walls of the monastery in 1096, when Prince Izyaslav Vladimirovich died.

In the middle of the 16th century, after Ivan the Terrible’s successful campaign against Kazan, on the orders of the Tsar, several churches were erected in Murom, including the main cathedral of the Transfiguration Monastery. The economic prosperity of the monastery is also associated with the name of Ivan the Terrible, who gave the monastery numerous lands and estates. In the inventories of Murom from the mid-17th century, the monastery is listed as “the sovereign’s building.”

Over the centuries, the monastery changed abbots and expanded its territory. Thus, during the reign of Patriarch Nikon, the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery remained a stronghold of the Old Believers and refused to submit to innovations. For which the abbot, despite repentance, was exiled to the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery.

In 1887, she was brought to the monastery from Athos exact copy Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”. And up to early XIX centuries, the temple was actively built up and reconstructed.

After the revolution of 1917, the abbot of the monastery was accused of complicity in the uprising, the monastery was closed, leaving only the parish church functioning. But this did not last long. In the 1920s, the temple was turned into a museum, but in 1929 the monastery premises were occupied by the military and NKVD units.

The revival began in 1990 after a letter from city residents asking to restore the temple.

Five years later, the authorities responded to the letter, the military unit left the monastery, a rector was appointed to the monastery, and restoration began. By 2009, the reconstruction was completed and the same icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” returned to the monastery.

6. Mother of God Nativity Monastery

Before the founding of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, the Vladimir Monastery was the center of monastic life in North-Eastern Rus'. The Laurentian Chronicle came out of the monastery.

The monastery was founded personally by Prince Vsevolod Yurievich in 1191. In 1237, the monastery was plundered by the Tatars and partially destroyed. At the same time, the abbot of the monastery and part of the brethren were killed.

In 1263, Alexander Nevsky, who died on his way back from the Horde, was buried in the church of the Nativity Monastery. For a long time his relics remained open, but in 1723, by order of Peter the Great, they were transferred to St. Petersburg.

To late XIX centuries, the monastery constantly changed its status and abbots. Despite this, in the 20s of the 20th century it suffered the fate of being abandoned and plundered. Since 1921, a pre-trial detention center, NKVD and KGB units were located here. From 1930 to 1950, executions of repressed people took place in the monastery buildings, and they were buried right there.

On the anniversary of the 800th anniversary of the monastery, construction and reconstruction of buildings began. On this day, a religious procession took place in the monastery. The monastery itself came into the possession of the Russian Orthodox Church.

7. Annunciation Monastery

The monastery was founded in the year of its foundation Nizhny Novgorod- in 1221. But a few years later it was completely plundered and burned, and a hundred years later the newly restored monastery was covered with snow. Residents were killed and buildings were destroyed.

According to legend, Metropolitan Alexy saw the destroyed monastery and made a vow to God that if the campaign against the Horde ended successfully, he would restore the monastery. The Metropolitan returned with honor, because healed the wife of the Tatar Khan from blindness. The raids stopped and the vow was fulfilled in 1370. This date can be considered the second birth of the monastery.

Among the trustees of the monastery was Osip Ermolov, the direct ancestor of General Ermolov.

In the 18th century, a handwritten kondakar was found in the monastery, called the Annunciation or Nizhny Novgorod.

After the revolution, the monastery was closed, and after the war, a planetarium was founded in the building of the Aliksievskaya Church, which existed there until 2005.

In 2007, a porcelain iconostasis was installed in the Church of St. Alexis. There are similar ones only in a few churches in Moscow, in Yekaterinburg and on Valaam.

Before the revolution, the monastery contained a copy of the Korsun Icon of the Mother of God, which survived several fires, but this time it was lost. An updated list was added to the restored monastery.

8. Pskov-Pechersky Monastery

The chronicle of the monastery indicates that even before the laying of the stone of the first cathedral of the monastery, hunters in the forest heard singing. And later, when the lands were given to local peasants, when trees were cut down under the roots of one of them, an entrance to a cave with the inscription “God-created caves” opened. It is known that the area was once home to those fleeing the raids. Crimean Tatars monks of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Later, already in 1473, Kamenets was dug near the stream. The monastery was founded on this site.

This is one of the few monasteries that did not cease its life during Soviet times. However, during the Great Patriotic War, the walls and buildings were heavily damaged by fascist artillery. After the war, seven Valaam elders came to the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery. Many abbots and monks who served here were subsequently canonized. Total length The caves are about 35 meters. In the lower caves the temperature is 10 degrees.

The Pskov-Pechersky Monastery is a place of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians all over the world. Bishop Tikhon Shuvkunov began his monastic path here. Based on his notes, the film “Pskov-Pechersk Monastery” was made, and in 2011 the book “Unholy Saints and Other Stories” was published, in which many chapters are related to the Pskov monastery.

9. Vvedenskaya Optina Pustyn

The exact date of the founding of the monastery is unknown, but according to legend, in these places at the end of the 14th century, the repentant robber Opta founded a refuge for elders and elders living in different sections under the direction of one confessor.

For many centuries, the desert changed mentors and expanded. Cathedrals, a refectory, and cells appeared on the territory. Hermits also settled here, people who for a long time lived in seclusion and solitude. It is also known that Vladimir Solovyov brought the hermitage of Fyodor Dostoevsky, who had just lost his son, to Optina. Right there great writer highlighted some details of the life of the monks, which later appeared on the pages of The Karamazov Brothers. The prototype of Elder Zosima from the novel was Elder Ambrose, who lived at that time in a monastery and was later canonized after his death.

IN Soviet era Optina Pustyn was also destroyed and closed. At first there was an agricultural artel here, then a rest house named after Gorky. During the Great Patriotic War, a military hospital and an NKVD filtration camp were located on the territory of the monastery. Later, these buildings will be transferred to a military unit, which will leave the territory only in 1987. A year later, the first divine liturgy took place within the walls of the monastery.

10. Valaam Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery

According to one legend, Andrew the First-Called installed a stone cross on the site of the future monastery, and according to another legend, two monks - Sergius and German - founded a monastic brotherhood on Valaam. The first mention in 1407 is considered the year the monastery was founded. A century later, about 600 monks lived on the island, but constant raids by the Swedes led the economy to desolation.

After the end of the Northern War, the territory of the monastery grew with new lands and cathedrals.

IN wartime A school for boatswains and cabin boys was organized in the monastery, who went to defend Leningrad. In 1950, the House of War and Labor Invalids was organized in the monastery.

A decade later, the first tourists arrived on the holy island, for whom a museum-reserve was organized. Due to the growing popularity of the place, in 1989 it was decided to transfer the monastery to the Leningrad diocese. On December 13, six monks set foot on the island.

About half of those trying to start on Valaam monastic life leave the island. Every year about 100 thousand pilgrims arrive at the Valaam Monastery, 90 thousand of whom are tourists.

On Valaam there are the relics of the founders of the monastery of Saints Sergius and Herman of Valaam, a miraculous icon Mother of God“Valaam”, healing from diseases, and the Holy Icon righteous Anna, helping with infertility.

An overview of the oldest monasteries in Russia is provided Federal agency on tourism.