10 oldest monasteries in Russia

Despite the fact that in the XNUMXth century, after the revolution, atheism reigned in our country, even in this difficult time there were people who never renounced their faith. Thousands of monasteries and churches were destroyed, but some of them survived. And millions of pilgrims now come to these holy, prayerful places to feel the grace and be healed of serious illnesses.

10 Mother of God-Christmas Monastery

It is located in Vladimir. The monastery was founded in 1191, by order of Grand Duke Vsevolod Yurievich. During the reign of Alexander Nevsky and more than 100 years after his death, it was one of the most influential monasteries in Rus’.

It was here that Alexander Nevsky was buried in 1263, and his relics were kept in this monastery until they were transported to St. Petersburg.

After 1917, the VChK was located in this building, and in 1930 it was decided to demolish the monastery. In the same year, the cathedral and the bell tower were destroyed, and detention centers were built on this territory. They kept representatives of the clergy, some of whom were sentenced to death.

All temple buildings were destroyed, with the exception of the Church of the Nativity. Since 1993, the revival of the monastery began: the surviving temple was reconstructed, and the cathedral began to be built. Now it is a functioning monastery, which has its own shrines.

9. Pskov-Caves Monastery

This is one of the largest monasteries in Russia. He was in Estonia. Because of what he was able to resist in the difficult post-revolutionary period and never closed. But his parishioners were still discriminated against. The year of its foundation is considered to be 1473, when the cave church of the Assumption of the Mother of God was consecrated. The famous archimandrite John (Krestyankin) once labored here.

It was about staying within the walls of this monastery that the book “Unholy Saints” was written by Bishop Tikhon (Shevkunov), which became one of the most read among believers.

8. Annunciation Monastery

Off the banks of the Oka, in Nizhny Novgorod, this monastery has been standing since 1221. He had an unfortunate fate. In 1229, Prince Purgas ravaged it, killing all the monks. Only after 100 years it was possible to revive it, but in 1369 the monastery suffered from a snow fall. Again, many buildings collapsed, people died.

Metropolitan Alexy was able to revive him. He went to the Golden Horde and promised that if his visit ended well, he would rebuild it. The metropolitan cured the khan’s wife, and he refused to raid. In 1370 he was able to fulfill his vow. Before the revolution, a list of the Korsun Icon of the Mother of God was kept here, which could survive 3 fires. But then the monastery was closed, the list disappeared. After that, the planetarium was located here. In the 90s began its revival.

7. Spaso-Preobrazhensky Solovetsky Monastery

It is located on the Solovetsky Islands, located in the White Sea. Starting from the 500th century, it served as a prison, which was visited by more than 1883 people. After XNUMX, when the prison was closed, some representatives of the church who were guilty of something were still exiled to the monastery.

In 1920, the monastery was liquidated, the Solovetsky prison appeared there, where the intelligentsia, officers of the White Army and the clergy were imprisoned. In 1967, a museum-reserve appeared here, and in 2007 it was taken out of the territory of the monastery.

6. Rizopolozhensky Convent

This monastery, founded in 1207, stands in Suzdal. He became famous thanks to Saint Euphrosyne. In the world, she was Princess Theodulia of Chernigov, who took tonsure in this monastery, and then became its abbess. She performed many miracles during her lifetime, as well as 2 posthumous miracles, about which monk Gregory wrote.

In 1923, the monastery was closed, its bells were sent for melting down, and the guards of the political isolator settled in the buildings. Only in 1999 it was returned to the church and it was revived.

5. Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery

Its other name is Kirillov Monastery. It is located near Siversky Lake in Kirillov. The heyday of the monastery fell on the 15th-17th centuries, when it was the largest and richest in Russia. His charter was particularly strict. It was one of the Russian book centers.

It is believed that here the royal couple begged for an heir, who later became Ivan the Terrible. After the revolution, the monastery was destroyed, its abbot was shot. They took everything out, and also took away the monastery library. It could have been destroyed and demolished if a museum-reserve had not been opened here in 1924. Until now, believers are trying to revive the monastic life within its walls.

4. Vvedenskaya Optina Pustyn

This one of the oldest monasteries is located near the town of Kozelsk. According to legend, it was founded by a repentant robber named Opta.

In 1821, a skete appeared here, hermits settled in it. People from all over Russia were drawn to them, trying to get answers to their questions and healing. After the death of his son F.M. Dostoevsky stayed in the skete for 3 days.

The monastery became famous for the Optina Elders, who became the comforters of the people. After the revolution, Optina Pustyn was closed; a rest home, a concentration camp, and a hospital were located here. In 1987 it was returned to the church.

3. St. Yuriev Monastery

Yuryev Monastery is located near the Volkhov River, on the outskirts of Veliky Novgorod. It was founded in 1030, once it was considered the spiritual center of the entire Novgorod land. After the October Revolution, all the valuables were taken out of the monastery, and after 1932, it housed a home for invalids. Later, people lived here, a post office and other institutions were located. Only in the 90s began its revival.

2. Valaam Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery

It is located on the island of Lake Ladoga, surrounded by water on all sides. It is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries. It is called Northern Athos. It was attacked and ravaged more than once, but the monks never took up arms and did not defend themselves, preferring to die.

The monastery flourished in the 1940th century. After the revolution, he remained in Finland, thanks to which he was able to resist, but was discriminated against by the Finnish authorities. Until XNUMX, Valaam belonged to Finland, but then again went to Russia after the Russian-Finnish war. Now pilgrims flock to it, who are attracted not only by the history of the monastery, but also by the most beautiful landscapes.

1. Murom Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery

It is located on the banks of the Oka, in Murom. He was patronized by Ivan the Terrible, on his orders the main cathedral was built, and extensive estates were presented to him. After the revolution, its abbot was accused of participating in the uprising and the monastery was closed. It worked as a temple, and in the 20s it was given to the museum, and later to the NKVD. The monastery began to be revived in the 1990s.