Sretensky Monastery. Moscow Sretensky Monastery (photo)

In the heart of Moscow is located Sretensky Monastery. Its gates are open to all Orthodox Christians. Everyone can go to the Sretensky Monastery, his address is easy to remember: he is on Bolshaya Lubyanka, number 19c1.

The history of the monastery

The monastery appeared in 1397 thanks to curious historical events, accompanied by divine protection. At that time, Moscow miraculously escaped from the invincible army of Tamerlane. This event took place in 1395. As the chronicles say, Khan Timur with the Tatar horde moved in Russia, sweeping everything in its path. Ahead was Moscow. Feeling a considerable misfortune, the prince great Vasily and Metropolitan Cyprian ordered to deliver from Vladimir to Moscow the miraculous icon of the Mother of God (Vladimirskaya). All ten days that the icon was on the way, it was accompanied by tearful prayers of the Russian people, who knelt along the road. In Moscow, they met the image of Vladimir's Mother of God on August 26.

While the Orthodox met the icon, Khan Tamerlane was resting in his rich tent. A certain woman appeared to him in a dream, surrounded by a myriad angelic army, who was looking at him with a menacing look. As soon as the khan woke up, he gathered his elders and told him to explain his vision. They, in turn, made it clear that the Mother of God of Christians came to him, the intercessor of the Russian people with their irresistible force. Khan terrified such an interpretation. His army immediately turned back, before reaching Moscow.

Muscovites in memory of this miracle put the church at the site of the meeting of the Vladimir Icon. Later, here and was erected Sretensky Monastery.

The centuries-old existence

In Moscow in those days there were many church monasteries. Sretensky Monastery was not among the most popular. He was not famous for spiritual loud exploits of the inhabitants, the decoration of the monastery was very modest. The life of monks was peaceful, quiet, measured. The monastery, however, often participated in public events of that time. Not the least role was played by the monastery in overcoming the Troubles, which occurred in the capital in 1611-1613. Formation of the royal dynasty took place with the support of the monastery. Due to its location, the monastery witnessed the salt riots of 1648, which began at the local walls. Joyful events are also found in the annals. In 1552, it was here that the Muscovites were met by troops who were taking the victory from Kazan, the monastery became that witness to that event.

Moscow Sretensky Monastery in the Romanov era

The first of the Romanov dynasty was very favored by the Sretensky Monastery. Particular attention was paid to him by Tsar Feodor Alekseevich. His reign did not last long, but during this time the monastery blossomed. At this time the cathedral was built, glorifying the Savior of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, to this day it was he who survived from all the others. Valuable contributions were received in those years by the Sretensky Monastery, tsarist divine services also took place here.

In the XVIII century the monastery began to decline. Its structures were damaged in the fire of 1737. The Sretensky Monastery has not yet recovered from such grave events as in 1737 Catherine II issued such a decree that spoke of the secularization of lands belonging to the church. The monastery became supernumerary. Sretensky Monastery could only leave fourteen people.

Only towards the end of the century the monastery began to gradually recover, some buildings were erected.

Abode during the Patriotic War of 1812

The war in 1812 greatly influenced the state of the Sretensky Monastery. An interesting fact is that the battle of Borodino took place on the day when the Savior of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was celebrated. Muscovites saw this as a good sign. Further events - the retreat of the Russian troops for Moscow, the seizure of the ancient capital by the French, to some extent shook the hopes of the inhabitants, but the subsequent events of the war strengthened the faith in Orthodoxy. Sretensky Monastery during the fire of 1812 was not injured. The French soldiers "touched" the abode, they plundered many of the values belonging to the church. It is worth noting that the monks of the Sretensky Monastery steadfastly protected the shrines and did not stop worship even during the war. Then, for hundreds of years, the monastery was in relative peace.

The coming of Soviet power

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Sretensky Monastery was quite comfortable, although it had a modest size. In 1907, the monastery had fourteen novices, four hierodeacons, six hieromonks. In the very near future, the Sretensky Monastery was to suffer severe trials.

Soviet power immediately began to establish its own order, immediately took up the ministers of the churches. The Decree of 1918, issued by the Council of People's Commissars, stated that the Church is separated from the state and, with it, loses the status of a legal entity. All the property belonging to the Church became the property of the people. All buildings intended for worship services were confiscated in favor of society, including farm buildings and all cell buildings. The Sretensky monastery did not escape this fate. In 1922 he was captured by the Renovationists. At the same time, state organs confiscated from the monastery all the church utensils of any value: liturgical vessels, altar crosses, salaries of icons, books in precious bindings.

The sad fate of the monastery

To expand street traffic, in 1927-30 destroyed many buildings of the monastery. This number included the temple of Mary of Egypt, which was considered the oldest in Moscow. The remaining monastery utensils were distributed to different cultural institutions and museums. The old icon "The Exaltation of the Cross" was given to the Antireligious Museum, then she got to the Tretyakov Gallery, where she is still kept.

In the monastery buildings that survived the destruction, hosted the hostel of the NKVD. During the years of terror, many people were shot on the territory of the former monastery. In the nameless graves, here, they were buried. In 1995, in the Sretensky Monastery was established a worship cross in memory of the tortured in this place, sanctified by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy.

In the only surviving church in 1958-1962, after its restoration, the Scientific and Restoration Center was established.

Revival of the monastery

At the end of the 20th century, when church traditions finally began to revive in Russia, the Cathedral of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was handed over to the Church, this happened in 1991. In 1994, with the blessing of His Holiness the Patriarch, monastic life began to revive on the territory of the Sretensky Monastery. The first inhabitants had to do hard work to revive the monastery.

In 2008, a plan was drawn up, according to which monuments that once existed on the territory of the monastery had to be reconstructed, new churches and office premises were built. The plan provides for the construction of a gate church with a baptistery, a youth Orthodox center, and a conference hall. Neighboring buildings, given to the monastery, are equipped with cell buildings, an infirmary and a refectory. From the side of the Big Lubyanka Square for training seminaries, under housing for seminarians.

Monks cherish, protect the Sretensky Monastery. Its address is known to many parishioners, and anyone can visit it, admire the beauty of the restored church, worship the holy icon.

Life in the monastery

Of course, for monks, the main thing is prayer. Liturgy is performed daily (early, late, midnight). Any local novice, monk are proud that the place of their abode is the Sretensky Monastery. Service to God is here the main meaning of life. Everyone has a special obedience, everyone has his own business: someone is working in the garden, someone in the publishing house, others are doing chores. If you compare the state of the monastery in the 90s and now, you can see how much incredible labor, effort is invested in the improvement of the monastery. Seminarists also participate in the life of the monastery, bear obedience, attend divine services.

Male Choir of the Sretensky Monastery

The male choir in the monastery has existed for many centuries, from the very date of its founding (1397). The break in activity occurred only during the years of persecution in the period of the domination of Soviet power. More recently, the choir began to acquire modern features. In 2005, the choir of the Sretensky Monastery was headed by a regent, whose name was Nikon Stepanovich Zhila. He is a graduate of Gnesinka, from childhood he sang in the church choir of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.

The choir is based on the seminarians of the Sretensky Seminary, as well as graduates of the Moscow Theological Academy. An important part of the composition is the vocalists of the Moscow Conservatory, the Moscow Academy of Choral Art, the Gnessin Academy. The choir includes thirty people, it includes first-class soloists, has its own arrangers and composers.

The Sretensky Choir conducts regular services to the monastery. At important solemn divine services, he sings in the Moscow Kremlin. Participants of the choir often travel with missionary tours under the auspices of the Russian Orthodox Church. The repertoire includes not only spiritual music, romances, songs of military age, folk Russian, Cossack songs, Ukrainian songs. All the compositions are performed by the choir only in the original a cappela.

The pacification of the monastery

Sretensky Monastery modestly located in the heart of Moscow, behind the snow-white walls, on which are tiled. The doors of the monastery are open to all thirsty peace and tranquility. People go to this place not only during the service, many come just in the midst of a busy day. Attached to the holy Vladimir icon or to the relics of Saint Hilarion, for a time you forget about worldly turmoil. Curious fact: although the walls are constantly buzzing Big Lubyanka, on the territory of the monastery there is complete silence and peace (or maybe this seems so to visitors). The life of monks here is not simple, they are obedient all day, but their deeds always remain humble, unsociable, useful.