What is the Athos Compound in Moscow

The Athos metochion in Moscow is a kind of a link between the Holy Mount Athos in Greece and the ancient capital of the Russian state. To gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual meaning of such representation, one should take a closer look at the historical traditions typical of Russian Orthodoxy.

From Russian History

The monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church were most often located some distance from large cities. To avoid unnecessary worldly vanity, they did not distract their inhabitants from what they had decided to devote to the rest of their days. But in order to maintain business and economic ties with the outside world, some monasteries left their representative offices or courtyards in the cities. Often, the monasteries belonged to the monastery owned land and real estate on it located. To the farmsteads usually belonged to everything that is not directly involved in the performance of church ministry. Economic activity was conducted on the farmsteads, numerous pilgrims stopped to pay homage to Christian shrines. But the Compound of the Athonite Monastery in Moscow represents in the spiritual sense something much more than just an addition to the holy abode.

Holy Mount Athos

In all the Orthodox and Christian world this place is considered one of the greatest shrines. In sacred history, it is known as the earthly portion of the Virgin. The Holy Mount Athos is located on the peninsula of the same name in the province of Macedonia, in north-eastern Greece. For many centuries on the peninsula there were monasteries and lived monks. The closest spiritual connection between the Holy Mount Athos and Russian Orthodoxy can be traced for a whole millennium, since the baptism of Rus. Among other things, this is expressed in the fact that Orthodox pilgrims for centuries sought to visit this sacred place. They followed a certain route, stopping on the way at specially designated farmsteads. Such was the historical tradition. In a certain sense, the Athos homestead in Moscow is one of such symbolic places for stopping pilgrims on their way to the holy land. Of course, its meaning and meaning is much deeper than a simple temporary haven for pilgrims.

In Moscow

Despite the deep spiritual connection of Russian Orthodoxy with the Holy Mount Athos, official representations of the clergy in major cities and both capitals of Russia began to open only in the second half of the nineteenth century. The Athonite Compound in Moscow was established in September 1979 for private donations. There was a representation in a small nobleman's estate on Bolshaya Polyanka. One of the most significant and authoritative figures in the history of spiritual representation was the rector of the Athonite metochion in Moscow, the Reverend Aristocles.

The ministry of the old man, Aristocles, left a significant mark on the Russian spiritual life. It was through him for many years that the connection with the Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos took place. He collected donations for the maintenance of Russian Orthodox monasteries in Greek Macedonia and sent there new novices who chose the difficult mission of Divine service for themselves. At the initiative of the holy elder on the Athos metochion in Moscow, the periodical "Dushepolezny Sobesednik" was published. This spiritual and religious journal was respected throughout Russia. In addition, the elder Aristocles possessed the gift of a spiritual healer and accepted those who needed his help, who came to him from all over Russia. At the beginning of the twentieth century, three three-story buildings were built on the territory of the farmstead, housing charitable establishments, a house church and a library of spiritual literature. But the mission of the Athos metochion in Moscow was interrupted by revolutionary events.

After the revolution

In 1918, the Athos Compound in Moscow virtually ceased to exist. In his fate there was nothing unique, the same fate befell many other Orthodox churches and monasteries. As in Moscow, and throughout Russia. In this was expressed the godless struggle of the Bolsheviks who came to power. For several decades, they methodically destroyed the foundations of Russian Orthodoxy, as well as other religious denominations. The buildings on the territory of the farmstead were given up for habitation, and the rector Hieromonk Macarius was repressed in January 1919.

Revival

The policy of the state towards the Orthodox Church has changed fundamentally only at the end of the twentieth century. During this period, many temples that were in desolation and used for purposes far from their destiny revived. In 1992, the Athos Compound in Moscow resumed its activity. Its address has changed, it is currently located within the walls of the ancient Temple of Nikita the Martyr on Shvivaya Gorka behind Yauza. It is one of the oldest Moscow churches, during its existence it was subjected to reconstruction and restructuring. But the date given on the foundation stone at its foundation - 1595 - evokes a sense of respect. The postal address of the church is Russia, Moscow 109240, 6 Goncharnaya Street.

In the Internet

All any significant religious structures and organizations can not but be represented today in the global information space. Has such representation and the Athos metochion in Moscow. The site of the Moscow Patriarchate contains a page dedicated to him.