Orthodoxy of Russia: Resurrection Monastery (Torzhok)

In the centuries-old history of Russia, monasteries arose simultaneously with the acquisition of Christianity. In Greek, "monastery" means "a secluded place".

In monasteries communities of monks (monks) lived according to strict regulations, in incessant prayer.

Those who wished to give themselves to God, left the worldly life for the sake of spiritual purity were removed here.

The emergence of monasteries

As a rule, monasteries were erected far from people, in impenetrable forests, near unknown lakes and rivers.

But the glory of the piety of the monastic population helping the wanderers and the infirm was widely dispersed, so that over time, settlements sprung up around the monastery that grew into large cities.

Communities were replenished with novices, extensions to existing buildings were made on the lands of monasteries, chapels, new churches and bell towers were built.

Over time, the monasteries formed entire architectural complexes of extraordinary beauty, born in a combination of different styles.

Historical Torzhok

So the city of Torzhok arose in its time on the expanses of ancient Rus. The largest architectural complexes in it are the male Borisoglebsky and the female Resurrection Monastery. Torzhok today is a regional city of the Tver region of Russia.

Torzhok is located along the river Tvertsy, 60 km from the regional center, near the Moscow-St. Petersburg highway.

In the past, it was called Novotorzhsk. Since that time, the townspeople are still called novomotors, many places and buildings in the city are called Novotorzhskys. Since 1917 the city has finally turned into a province.

For the first time the women's Resurrection Monastery in Torzhok is mentioned in the beginning of the XVII century, and it was laid a century earlier.

To this monastery the nun Martha (in the world Xenia Ivanovna), the mother of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, donated the icon of the Resurrection of Christ in a silver robe.

And together with the icon, two cups of coconut in silver. Later these cups were converted into lamps.

Monastery

Until now, in spite of everything, the Resurrection Monastery was not badly preserved. Torzhok, Like most ancient cities, it was erected from a tree. And the first buildings of the monastery were also wooden.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the building of the Resurrection Cathedral and the Chapel of the Savior Not Made by Hands were built of stone, and by the end of the century the territory of the monastery was surrounded with a stone wall.

Some of the buildings were updated later, so their architecture is different. The Resurrection Cathedral was built in a classical manner, and the bell tower remained baroque architecture.

The exact dates of construction and reorganization in different sources vary.

In the cathedral there were two floors: on the first there is the Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, and on the second - the Resurrection of Christ.

Later, in the XIX century, the cells were built (housing for nuns and abbesses), the refectory and the church of the Beheading of the head of John the Forerunner.

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ is the leading structure. From it and received its name Resurrection Monastery. Torzhok today is quite a small town, about 50 thousand people, but it has many churches.

Monastery today

Pilgrims and ordinary tourists interested in the history of Russia, it is not difficult to find the Resurrection Monastery in Torzhok. His address is listed in Orthodox guides, although the monastery is not functioning.

It stands on the high left bank of the river Tvertsy, on the street called Red Town, house 22, next to the car and pedestrian bridges, in the historic center of the city.

And on the contrary, on the right bank, the male Borisoglebsky monastery, slightly upstream. According to legend, under the river there is an underground passage to the right bank.

In the 20 years of the last century the complex was closed. And the Resurrection Monastery in Torzhok still does not work. Photo of buildings conveys a sad picture of his current state.

Before the revolution, the monastery had an orphanage and a school for girls from poor families. Monastic novices were engaged in icon painting, weaving lace, embroidery, preparing a dowry for rich brides.

It is believed that the famous skill, which is called novotorzhskoe gold embroidery, gave a start to life is the Resurrection Monastery.

Torzhok not this way Has long received the status of a city-museum of federal significance, since it preserved many architectural monuments of past centuries.

And although the monastery is in desolation, its buildings without repair are destroyed and from the former well-being there is nothing left, the complex is very beautiful.