Zaikonospassky monastery: schedule of services, photos, reviews

One of the most interesting sights of Moscow is the Zaikonospassky Monastery located on Nikolskaya street. Nowadays this is a large active religious complex, which includes: Missionary, Youth and Slavic-Korean centers. Theological courses, a library and a Sunday school are also open on the territory of the monastery.

The basis of the monastery

In the 14th century, on the site of Zaikonospassky was the monastery of St. Nicholas of Spassky. Unfortunately, there are very few records of this complex. It is only known that once the western part separated with the church standing here. The new religious center in this place was founded presumably in 1620. Since the iconic trading rows began right behind him, he was named Zaikonospassky.

According to other sources, the Zaikonospassky Monastery was founded by Prince Volkonsky on the orders of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in 1600. In any case, by 1626, behind this center were two churches - stone and wooden, as well as close cells, set in straight rows. The first documentary mention of this monastery dates back to 1635. Called in those days in Moscow this monastery "teacher's". Respect in the capital, he enjoyed just exceptional.

Academy

But the real upsurge of this religious and educational institution began in 1665 thanks to the efforts of his then rector, Simeon of Polotsk. What the worldly name of this monk was, is unknown. Only his surname, Sitnianovich-Petrovsky, has survived. Polotsky began to call him the former place of service. This monk transformed the usual "public" school of the monastery with semi-literate teachers into a serious educational institution.

The first attempt to create a real academy in the Zaikonospassky Monastery was undertaken in 1680 by the rector Sylvester Medvedev. This monk filed a petition to Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich about her discovery. However, the tsar died soon, and therefore it was not possible to implement the plan.

In 1687, the Hellenic-Greek school was moved from the Epiphany to the Zaikonospassky Monastery. Created her brothers Likhuda, recommended to the Russian Tsar by the Eastern patriarchs. These monks were descendants of the Byzantine royal family and were trained first in Greece, and then in Venice. After the transfer of the Academy was given the name of Slavic-Greek-Latin. For a long time it remained the only higher educational institution in the state. Its rectors were the archimandrites and abbots of the monastery. Many well-known Russian scientists, including Mikhail Lomonosov, were trained in the walls of this institution.

During the Soviet era

After the revolution Zaikonospassky monastery was abolished. In 1922, the "Union of Church Revival" was organized here. However, in 1929 it was abolished, placing secular institutions in the buildings.

Since the temple located on the territory of the monastery was of historical value, in the sixties a large-scale restoration work was carried out here. On the third and fourth tiers of the church, decorative decoration was mounted, and on the roof locks were installed. Instead of a cross on the dome, a gold plated pin was fixed.

In 1992, the temple of Zaikonospassky Monastery was again given to believers. Officially, as a religious center, it was revived in 2010 by the decision of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Zaikonospassky monastery: schedule of services

Today, the temple of Zaikonospassky monastery can be visited by any believer. Divine services are held regularly. The schedule of services is changing, and you can find out for sure only in the monastery itself. On Sundays and holidays, liturgies are mandatory here. The service starts at 9 o'clock in the morning. All-night vigil is held on the pre-holiday days. It starts at 5 pm.

The address of the monastery

It is located Zaikonospassky monastery in Moscow at the address: st. Nikolskaya, 7-13. You should leave at the metro station "Teatralnaya". The abbot of the monastery at the present moment is Hieromonk Fr. Pyotr Afanasyev.

Architectural features of the complex

During its existence Zaikonospassky monastery has been rebuilt many times. In the years 1701 and 1737, Here there were fires. Both times it was reconstructed. At the same time, such well-known architects as IF Michurin, IP Zarudnyi, ZI Ivanov, MT Preobrazhensky were involved.

Acting in the monastery the Academy in 1814 was transferred to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. At the moment it is called the Moscow spiritual. Instead, a spiritual school was opened in the Zaikonospassky Monastery. In 1825, the Assumption Cathedral was built on the territory of the complex. The author of his project was S. P. Obitaev.

The temple of the monastery is a typical example of the architecture of the Moscow Baroque. In 1701, during the reconstruction, a refectory was attached to it. In the period from 1701 to 1709, under the porch of the upper church, two floors of cells were built, in which the students of the academy lived. This is the main building of such complex, as Zaikonospassky monastery. You can see his photo in this article.

The teacher's building of the monastery was built presumably in the last quarter of the 17th century. In 1886 this building was built on the third floor and decorated in pseudo-Russian style.

On the western side of the complex is another remarkable construction - built in 1821-1822. Theological school. It represents a massive three-story building in a scant detail in the Empire style. The building was erected on the foundation of the former school building.

Zaikonospassky monastery: reviews

Of course, reviews of this monastery as the oldest architectural complex of those who have ever visited it, there are only positive. Monastery buildings look solid, beautiful and impressive, as it is supposed to be cult buildings.

Believers Christians very well estimate the religious activities of the monastery. The missionary center of the monastery is engaged in charitable activities, doing a great job with nursing homes and orphanages. Also, the monastery provides assistance to low-income families mostly used, but still good things. You can bring these clothes to the needy any day from 7:00 to 21:00.

For believing Koreans, a special center has been set up in the monastery, organizing pilgrimage trips to the shrines of the capital, Moscow region, and monasteries of other regions of the country. In the Sunday school of the monastery classes are held to study the Law of God, the Church Slavonic language, Russian dance and church choir singing.