Laurus Sergiev Posad. The largest Orthodox male stauropegic monastery

Laurus Sergiev Posad is rightfully considered one of the most important Orthodox shrines in Russia. It is revered and called the heart of the Orthodox world, because throughout its history this monastery showed unbending strength of spirit and faith. Today, here is the largest Orthodox monastery.

History of the Laurels

The emergence of the Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra goes far back to the times, namely, in 1337, when two brothers Bartholomew and Stefan built a cell and a small church near the city of Radonezh. The latter was consecrated in the name of the Most Holy Trinity.

After a while Stefan decided to move to the Epiphany Monastery, and Bartholomew remained. The latter took the monastic vows and began to be named after Sergius (later known as Radonezhsky). In solitude, the hermit was about two years old, then those who wanted to receive instructions began to settle near his cell. In total, there were twelve cells, which after a while were enclosed by a fence, and also a gate was put.

After some time he was appointed hegumen Mitrofan, who remained in office until 1344. After the post passed to Sergei Radonezhsky himself. He zealously monitored the observance of the order of service, although there was no constant priest. So the future Laurus of Sergiev Posad began to form.

During the lifetime of Sergius a large wooden church was built with the money of Archimandrite Simon. Also renovated the cells for the brothers.

The invasion of the Horde by Russian and new epochs in the life of the monastery

An important milestone in the history of Russia was the Tatar-Mongol yoke. It was a hard time for everyone. In 1380 hegumen Sergius, at the request of Prince Dmitry, who honored him, stood in prayer all the while the battle was going on. Thanks to his gift of foresight, he saw everything that was happening on the battlefield.

In 1392 the future Laurus of Sergiev Posad lost St. Sergius. He went into another world. His successor was Nikon. Fifteen years after the appointment, the monastery was burned down by the invasion of the horde. It had to be rebuilt.

In 1422, another miracle happened that allowed the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh to be discovered. This led to a new construction, which resulted in the construction of the Trinity Cathedral. It was he who became the temple for the relics of the saint.

The cathedral was built of stone. For his painting, a famous icon painter Andrei Rublev was invited. Of course, the painting in its original form has not been preserved to the present day, since it was updated several times, and some fragments were generally executed anew.

The miracle of liberation with the help of Sergius of Radonezh after his death

It would be desirable to say separately about that period in the life of the monastery, when it was besieged by Poles and Lithuanians. It began in 1608 and lasted until 1610. The monastery was besieged by a huge army, and the defenders were several times smaller. At that time the entire Lavra of Sergiev Posad stood on a prayer. Thanks to the intercession of the patron Sergius of Radonezh, the monastery stood.

At this time, there were numerous miracles and, despite the preponderance of opponents, the brothers did not give up and believed. For six weeks the monastery walls were fired from guns, but the assault did not work. Then in the course went undermining the enemy, who also did not help break through the defense.

Protection of the monastery - and this is today an indicator of masculinity. At that time, this feat encouraged many not to surrender and continue the struggle against the invaders.

Monastery during the reign of Peter and the title of Laurels

The Trinity-Sergius Lavra at one time served as a refuge for royal people more than once. It was thanks to their frequent visits that special chambers were built - the Halls. This building was designed specifically for such visits.

In 1682 Peter the Great sheltered himself from the insurrection. Seven years later he was there again, but already escaping from the conspiracy. It was here that the "beloved" regiments came to help the future tsar, who allowed him to cope with the conspirators. From this monastery the new history of the reign of Peter the Great begins.

In 1742 the monastery opened a seminary, and two years later the monastery received the status of the monastery. Since 1747, the construction of a church in the name of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God begins. It lasted until 1767. The style of the church is baroque, it has a rounded shape, as well as numerous balconies with balustrades.

Formation of Sergiev Posad

The city itself began to be laid as early as 1610, when the monastery had a military garrison. At the same time around him began to appear the first settlements. The monastery grounds had great benefits, which contributed to the development of crafts, as well as the prosperity of trade. As a result, the settlement grew, as well as an increase in the number of people, which in the future led to the formation of the city of Sergiev Posad. The Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra actively contributed to this and its buildings.

The acquisition of the monastery title of the monastery, as well as the emergence of spiritual educational institutions, raised it to a special status. Already at the beginning of the XVIII century around the monastery was a large number of densely populated settlements. In 1782 they all received the name Sergiev Posad. He fully worked for the needs of the monastery - the service of arriving in large numbers of pilgrims, trade, subsequently hotel business, etc. Everything was related to the needs of the Lavra. We can say that the city of Sergiev Posad in the Moscow region was a great continuation of the monastery.

Laurus during the reign of the Soviets

During the formation of Soviet power, the Lavra underwent changes. Numerous property of the monastery was confiscated. In 1918, the nationalization of the monastery took place, and a year later a blasphemous act was committed - an autopsy of the relics of Sergius of Radonezh. This event caused a large number of people to gather in the monastery and the city of Sergiev Posad in the Moscow region. The new authorities made concessions to believers - they did not destroy the relics, but simply opened it.

In November 1919, all the monks from the monastery were evicted and sent to the Gethsemane monastery, and in May 1920 it was completely sealed and closed.

After these events there were many institutions on the territory of the monastery: a museum, a club, a shooting gallery, and even a pedagogical institute. Some buildings were occupied by residents.

Further years were not easy. The church of Filaret was destroyed, in which were the graves of some saints. The latter were looted, and the relics were thrown into the pit with garbage.

The resumption of divine services occurred in 1946 for Easter. They returned some relics of saints, and also opened a seminary and an academy. It was one of the few working monasteries in the difficult time for Orthodoxy.

A new era after the collapse of the USSR

Of course, after the Soviets left the political arena, the Orthodox could not hide their faith. In addition to the work of the Academy and Seminary that was renewed in 1948, now there are two schools - icon painting and regency. Also there is a museum.

The destroyed monasteries of the monastery began to revive, after which solemn divine services were held in them. The hotel has been reconstructed, which now houses all comers with amenities.

Now in the monastery there are about three hundred monks who have different duties. This, for example, publishing and missionary activities, they feed the prisoners, and also take the confession of pilgrims.

Miracles that happened here

The Trinity Lavra (Sergiev Posad) amazes with all the miracles that occurred here according to the will of God. The patron of the monastery, Sergius of Radonezh, not once warned of a frenzy. For the first time it happened in 1408. He came in a dream to his successor Nikon and warned of the danger. All the brothers went to a safe place and did the right thing, because the monastery was burned to the ground.

Another similar vision happened in 1611. Then he appeared three times to Kuzma Minin with the call to collect the army and go to liberate Moscow.

Architecture and buildings of the Lavra

To date, the construction of the Lavra, which were erected in the XV-XIX centuries, are some help on Russian architecture of the time. For example, the Pyatnitskaya Tower, which appeared in 1640. She is one of the most powerful, and she also has seventy-seven loopholes.

You can enter the Lavra through the Holy Gate, above which is located the Gate Gate of the Red Tower, which has fifty eight loopholes. The gates themselves are decorated with various frescoes that tell of the life of St. Sergius of Radonezh.

Also an interesting architectural composition is the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. It is decorated in the Moscow Baroque style and is a beautiful decoration of the entrance to the Lavra.

In 1422 the Trinity Cathedral was built in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh. This is a truly interesting building, which conveys some moments of architecture of that time.

Shrines that are in the Lavra

The Holy Trinity Lavra (Sergiev Posad) contains many sacred objects, which are of great importance for the Orthodox. Let's consider each of them:

• The holy relics of Sergius of Radonezh (located in the Trinity Lavra Cathedral, almost all the time since their acquisition were at the monastery);
• The holy relics of Antonius of Radonezh (kept in the Dukhov Lavra Cathedral);
• The holy relics of Maxim the Greek (kept in the Refectory of the Monastery of the Laura, were found relatively recently, in 1996);
• Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God (kept in the Trinity Lavra Cathedral);
• Chernigov Icon of the Mother of God (ibid.);
• Icon of St. Nicholas, which is very honored (kept in the temple of St. Sergius).

Helping patients at the Lavra

In the Lavra, they practice the cure of diseases, which medicine calls mental. In Orthodoxy, this is corruption and insanity. Therefore, very many aching spiritually come here, where the city of Sergiev Posad, Lavra is located. The testimony comes with the help of prayers, which are a special legacy for this since the fourth century. There is also anointing with holy oil, then sprinkling with holy water and cross-stitching.

Of course, the patients themselves behave not quite adequately. Obsessed by various demons, the human body performs quite strange gestures. Also, patients make different sounds, inhuman voices, and also croak, cry, laugh. Some patients are brought from other localities to be connected.

One of the most powerful exorcists in the city of Sergiev Posad (Lavra) is Father Herman (Chesnokov). He and conducts such cleaning. By the way, this is not a joke, and it is better not to be present. This event is dangerous because an inexperienced and weak person can pick up a demon himself. Then he will need the proof of the report.

Where is the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius?

Now consider how to get to the city of Sergiev Posad (Lavra). The address is not complicated at all. He is in the Moscow region. You can get there from the Yaroslavsky railway station by suburban electric trains, which follow directly to the station you need. Approximate driving time - an hour and a half. Then directly to the Lavra from the station you can walk or go one stop on a minibus.

In addition to suburban electric trains to Sergiev Posad, there are buses. They come from VDNKh very often. The first bus leaves at half past seven in the morning, and the last one at noon eleven. From Sergiev Posad the first bus goes at five o'clock ten in the morning, and the last - at nine o'clock in the evening.

For a more convenient car journey to the city of Sergiev Posad (Lavra), a map of this area will be your helper. Get it before traveling and you can easily get there.