New Jerusalem Monastery: photos and reviews of tourists. New Jerusalem Monastery in Istra: how to arrive

The Resurrection New Jerusalem Monastery has a rich history, which is closely intertwined with the memory of its founding father, Patriarch Nikon. His Holiness loved this abode and lived here about eight years after he was removed from Moscow. The monk directed all his powers to realize his own plan: in the suburbs, a monastery was to be created, which would become an exact copy of the famous temple of the Resurrection of the Lord, located in Jerusalem. In the cathedral, the sacred similarities of the cave of the Holy Sepulcher, Mount Calvary, the burial place and the Resurrection of Christ were fully reproduced. The Patriarch wanted the Orthodox people to contemplate the monastery as the site of holy passions.

Features of the territory

According to the architects, toponymy, topography, the structure of the monastery itself and the surrounding area, which stretches for several tens of kilometers, were to recreate the image of the Holy Land and the main Christian shrines of Palestine. In the center of the fenced space the monastery was founded - the city-temple. The towers of the monastery acquired symbolic names - Gethsemane, Waho'er's. A rapid and winding river flows along Russian Palestine. It complements and beautifies the area surrounding the New Jerusalem Monastery. Istra is not the only water body in the territory. The cedar stream also flows around the monastery hill.

The New Jerusalem Monastery began to be built in 1656, when Nikon was still in good relations with Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. With his allowance, the construction went on quickly, but stopped for fourteen years after the exile of the patriarch. Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich's zeal restored the good deed. In his own kingdom, the wish of the most holy man to return to his beloved abode was fulfilled. From the king, he received permission to return to New Jerusalem, but reposed on the way out of exile and was buried.

After the death of Nikon, construction continued, and in 1685 the cathedral was consecrated. The sacrament was held by the patriarch Joachim. A year later, the Holy Protection of the Resurrection Cathedral decided to grant the temple an "ever-approved letter" to all lands and estates.

At the beginning of the XIX century the New Jerusalem Monastery was one of the most popular pilgrimage centers in the country. When the railway line was laid nearby, the number of parishioners increased even more. In 1913, the monastery was visited by about 35 thousand people. With funds allocated by the monastery, a hospice was built for the poor pilgrims and the hotel. Even rich members of the royal family made rich deposits in the sacristy.

Historical Studies

In the XIX century, a scientific study of the stages of the development of the monastery began. The largest historian of the church was Archimandrite Leonid, who created a truly fundamental work "Historical Description of the Resurrection Monastery." The manuscript was published in 1874 and contained not only a historical essay, but also the publication of many documents of scientific value that are now completely lost. In addition, the archimandrite founded a museum in which objects of personal use of Patriarch Nikon, icons, books, paintings, cloths from the monastery collection were exhibited. To this day the Resurrection New Jerusalem Monastery is famous for its museum.

Closing of the monastery in the revolution

In the troubled time for Russia, according to the decision of the local uyezd congress of Soviets, the New Syrian Monastery was closed. The property of the monastery, according to the order, was arrested and nationalized. To this day, a memorial plaque is on display in the funds of the active historical museum "New Jerusalem". It is engraved with the inscription that the Great Russian Revolution removed the "cult" Resurrection New Jerusalem Monastery and handed it over to the people. The cathedral ceased to serve. A little later, the most valuable items were removed from the vestry and moved to the Armory Chamber.

Monastic Affairs and the Great Patriotic War

In 1941, the monastery was in the hearth of fierce fighting for Moscow. Most of the buildings and buildings of the monastery suffered very badly, some of them were completely destroyed. Information about this figure even at the Nuremberg Trials. After the war, closer to the 50th years, the restoration work began in the monastery . The architectural complex of the monastery was raised from the ruins. Then, work was done to restore the interior decoration of the cathedral. By the grace of the Lord New Jerusalem monastery came to life, Istria continues to flow through its territory, emphasizing the peace and splendor of the area.

Cathedral and modern history

In 1994, the Russian Orthodox Church announced the resumption of Russian Palestine. New Jerusalem Monastery, the restoration of which had not yet begun, received a new chapter. Patriarch Alexy II appointed viceroy of the monastery - Archimandrite Nikita.

Since mid-2008, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church has approved the head of the dean Hegumen Theophylactus. In the same year, the monastery was visited by the patriarch himself, accompanied by the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev. They got acquainted with the structures and agreed that there was a lot to do in order to revive the old splendor of Russian Palestine. It was then that the charitable foundation of the monastery was established.

In 2009, the President signed a decree, thanks to which measures were taken to recreate the historical appearance of the territory. Subsidies for the restoration of the monastery are allocated from the federal budget. According to the architects, the whole area should take its historical features, which is so famous for the New Jerusalem Monastery. When the restoration is over, the doors of the monastery will be widely opened for all pilgrims and parishioners.

Monastery Museum

The artistic and historical and architectural museum of the monastery was founded in 1920. To date, it is one of the largest and oldest state museums located in the suburbs. Over the period of his existence, he experienced many shocks and transformations. In 1941, the building was virtually destroyed by fascist invaders. Despite so much damage, the memorial site has revived and is still actively developing.

The modern museum has become a container of more than 180 thousand exhibits, where the unique collections of church utensils, foreign and domestic paintings, weapons, porcelain, rare printed and manuscript editions deserve special attention. You can see the collections of works of decorative and applied art, graphics and painting of the twentieth century. In the park area, right under the open sky, there is a department of wooden architecture. Any tourist or pilgrim can see historical monuments of the XIX century: a mill, a chapel, peasant huts.

To date, the museum is housed in a modern building, which was erected specially near the monastery. To visit the New Jerusalem Monastery, the photo of which is presented below, thanks to this decision, it became more convenient.

Excursion programs

First of all, attention is deserved by an exclusive program, which is designed for the winter season. Within the framework of this excursion, the architectural ensemble of the Resurrection Monastery is inspected. The sightseeing tour includes a visit to the central part of the cathedral, the underground church of St. Helens and Constantine, chapels and much more. The program also includes horse riding and tea drinking with monastic pies. The visit is available for all age groups.

Excursion "Patriarch Nikon"

The museum employee during the excursion tells about the fate of the founder of the monastery. His role in Russian history of the XVII century is widely covered. Walking through memorable places is carried out for adults and children. For the most symbolic fee, you can see the New Jerusalem Monastery, the cathedral and the surrounding territories.

A special attention deserves an excursion about Orthodox churches and church art in general. Here you can find useful information about the intricacies of the device of Russian monasteries, church ordinances, objects and attributes of church art, which are used in conducting worship services. Visitors to the museum can make a real trip to the world of the Russian icon, learning in detail about the saints who are honored in Orthodoxy, about the famous image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, about the formation of iconography and the attitude towards icons in the old days.

Restoration work

To date, all measures have been taken to revive the monastery as one of the most important spiritual centers of Russia. Thanks to extensive restoration works, the Voskresensky Monastery Museum will become the main exhibition platform of the Moscow region. All necessary conditions for restoration, storage of historical collections of the art museum "New Jerusalem" will be reconstructed here.

The museum will begin to function fully in late 2015. Its new building is almost three times the old one. In addition to the exposition and exhibition area, the project of restoration envisages the creation of modern storage facilities, museum stores and cafes, and a variety of cultural and educational zones. Despite the repair work, every parishioner or tourist can visit the New Jerusalem Monastery. Excursions are held regularly.

Now the publication is being prepared for publication, which will cover all the stages of saving and realizing the restoration work of the architectural ensemble of the New Jerusalem Monastery. In it, many memoirs of contemporaries, documents and photographs will be made public.

All the reconstruction works that are going through the New Jerusalem Monastery are planned to be completed by the end of next year, the museum will be restored a little earlier. The monastery will be fully restored.

Resurrection Cathedral

To date, it is the only monument of Russian art in which tiles were used for interior decoration of interiors. Parapets of galleries, ceramic friezes, inscriptions fully correspond to the division of the temple space. Door apertures decorate ceramic portals. In seven chapels, it was possible to preserve the unique iconostasis, which is also made of tiles. Especially impressive three-tier iconostases, the height of which reaches eight meters. The Resurrection Cathedral of the New Jerusalem Monastery impresses with its beauty.

How to get to the monastery

From Moscow, from the Riga railway station, an electric train departs to the Istra station or Novoirussalimskaya station. Then you need to change to a bus or a fixed-route taxi and get to the "Monastery" stop. In addition, there is a stop at the Tushino metro station, from where the shuttle bus leaves for Istra. Tickets are better to buy in advance, so as not to stand in tedious queues.

If you mean a car trip, you should go to the Volokolamsk highway. It is necessary to move past Nakhabino, Krasnogorsk, Bullfinches, Dedovsk, through the city of Istra, the highway just goes past the monastery. There are special places on the territory where you can leave your own vehicle.

Reviews of tourists

Visiting the monastery even during the repair work is becoming one of the most significant events for people. Even from afar to the monastery a magnificent view opens. As tourists say, this is the place that you can visit repeatedly. There is a special spirit that remains with the person for several days after traveling to the monastery. According to those who visited the monastery, the Museum of the New Jerusalem Monastery gives very vivid impressions, in which interesting and educational excursions are held.

People note in their reviews an amazingly beautiful and unusual dome, wonderful walls, impressive with their splendor at first sight. This monastery stands out among all the other ancient temples of Russia, which is immediately noticeable for an experienced tourist. It is very interesting, according to the parishioners, to pass through the main gate: first the gaze opens the underground church, then the main cathedral. Memories and impressions of such holy places remain for a long time.

Other people are pleased that the monastery owns a large, spacious area, there is a spring with holy water, places where you can ride horses, a lot of flowers, shops with souvenirs are open. All the pilgrims, tourists, people you meet along the way, smile and shine with kindness.

The monastery can be visited with children, which is good for all families. If desired, you can eat a simple, but tasty food and continue the inspection.

Instead of concluding

The territory of the monastery is a place where special goodness is felt. Even during the restoration of its appearance, the temple is open to parishioners and tourists who want to feel the spiritual depth of the namolennoe place and personally see all the beauty that the New Jerusalem Monastery is. When the restoration is over, the territory and the museum will delight the congregation with their restored interior and exterior decoration.