Victor Ivanovich Baldin
In the middle of the 14th century. The tormented and humiliated Russian land had been languishing under the yoke of the Tatar-Mongol conquerors for more than a hundred years. In 1237, the Tatar-Mongol cavalry swept through the lands of Ryazan, Vladimir, Kyiv and other Russian principalities in a bloody whirlwind, “cutting people like grass” or driving them into the “full” in thousands. The path of the conquerors was marked by the ruins of cities and the ashes of burned villages. The pages of Russian chronicles that record this invasion breathe with genuine horror. Cruelly suppressing desperate resistance, the wave of conquerors rolled further to the west; but their strength was so undermined by the struggle on the territory of Rus' that they were forced to return their troops back from the banks of the Vistula and Danube. Wounded Rus' obscured Western Europe from cruel enslavement.
“Russia was destined for a high destiny... Its vast plains absorbed the power of the Mongols and stopped them at the very edge of Europe; the barbarians did not dare to leave enslaved Rus' in their rear and returned to the steppes of their east. The resulting enlightenment was saved by torn and dying Russia,” - wrote Pushkin. Overshadowing Europe, the Russian principalities became vassals of the Eolithic Horde khans for two and a half centuries. The population was forced to pay huge tribute and endure the humiliating violence of the barbarian yoke.
And although the Horde “counters” were constantly traveling around the cities and villages, busily counting people, so that no one would evade the predatory tribute and the annual “exit” to the Horde would be extremely rich, the Russian people strained all their efforts to revive agricultural land, create new centers of economic and political life. And among them already in the first half of the 14th century. Moscow is noticeably moving forward. The advantageous location in the center of North-Eastern Rus', protection from the raids of nomads by the outlying principalities, the convenience of trade links along the rivers, as well as the firm and far-sighted policy of the Moscow princes attracted people here. It is here, in Moscow, that the idea of uniting all of Rus' is ripening; in 1325 the metropolitan moved to Moscow from Vladimir, and this made it the religious center of all Russian lands.
General view of the Holy Trinity Lavra from the south-eastern sides. Postcard.
The founding of the Trinity Monastery, 70 km north of Moscow, dates back to this time. We learn about the initial period of its formation from chronicle references and, mainly, from the first biographies of the founder of the monastery, Sergius of Radonezh, compiled by the famous hagiographer Epiphanius the Wise, expanded and revised by Pachomius the Serb. Despite all the traditional conventions of these works, they contain a number of interesting information about the appearance of the monastery at the earliest stage of its development. This information belongs to contemporaries who saw the monastery of that time or described it from the words of direct eyewitnesses (“very much heard or seen”). Thus, Epiphanius lived for a long time in the monastery under Sergius of Radonezh and, as he himself writes, began making his notes “for the sake of reserve and memory” in 1393 or 1394 (“in the summer, one or two” after the death of Sergius). Pachomius the Serb worked on the “Life” later, in 1438-1449, but, like Epiphanius, he had the opportunity to “investigate and question the ancient elders” who lived under the abbess of Sergius.
The named authors tell how the Rostov boyar Kirill, due to princely strife and oppression of the Tatar tiuns, was forced to “move away” to the land of the Moscow prince; with his wife Maria and three sons (Stephen, Bartholomew and Peter), he settled in the small town of Radonezh, near the border of the Moscow and Rostov principalities (1339). After the death of his parents, one of the sons, Bartholomew, decided to devote himself to monasticism. But he did not want to go to an ordinary “secular” monastery located in the city or its environs; he was attracted by the path of the hermit, and he decided to “dwell in the desert” in the forest. Bartholomew persuaded his elder brother Stefan to go with him, who by this time was widowed and was a monk at the nearby Intercession Monastery in Khotkovo.
Having chosen a convenient place in the forest, on a small hill washed by the Konchura River, far from villages and roads, the brothers cut down a cell and a “little church” for themselves, dedicating it to the Trinity (according to some sources this was in 1337, according to others - in 1345 G.) . However, Stefan could not endure the harsh, ascetic life full of hardships and deprivations and soon left for Moscow, to Epiphany Monastery, and Bartholomew, who took the name Sergius after tonsure, remained to live in the forest in all alone. Two or three years later, other monastics began to join him; everyone set up his cell where he wanted, cultivated a garden and lived independently.
When the number of monks reached 12, a monastery was formed; Sergius became his abbot. (Based on the location of the monastery, the founder was called Radonezh.) Sergius was one of the first in Northern Rus' to revive the strict rules of “community living,” similar to what was done in Kiev-Pechersk Monastery(from 1688 - Lavra) in the 11th century. Unlike those monasteries, where each monk lived in his own separate, sometimes quite extensive household, the new charter provided for a single brethren with a common household; all monks had to wear the same clothes, live in the same cells, eat together in a common refectory, participate in common work, and go beyond the fence only with the permission of the abbot. Not everyone liked such strict discipline, and some monks secretly left Sergius.
To ensure a new way of life, it was necessary to rebuild the monastery. Sergius “having spread a larger monastery, ordered the cells to be arranged in four shapes, and in the middle, a larger church was erected, visible from everywhere like a mirror, and meals and other food for the needs of the brethren.” At the same time, other buildings were erected, where the abbot distributes “the brethren according to services: the cellarer, and others in the cookhouse, in the bread oven, to serve the weak with all diligence,” etc. .
The monastery of Sergius began to resemble a clearly planned town: the cells were located on the sides of a rectangular square (“four-shaped”) around new church and refectory; behind the cells there was space for vegetable gardens and household services - granaries and sheds. The entire monastery was surrounded by a fence (tyn) made of vertically placed logs or thick stakes; There was always a guard at the gate - a “goalkeeper”. Another church was built above the gate, dedicated to the patron of the Grand Duke of Moscow - Dmitry of Thessalonica. It is noteworthy that the monastery carried this principle of regular construction through all subsequent centuries and preserved it to this day; its layout served as an example for the construction of other monasteries and cities.
Sergius of Radonezh had outstanding personal qualities. “Strong in soul”, “can do for two people”, “speaking few words”, “doing good things” - his contemporaries say about him. Through the complex patternedness of the “weaving of words” of Epifaniev’s “Life” appears the image of a modest and very strong man, who endured a lonely, hard life in the forest among wild animals and “demonic trials.” His days were filled with tireless work and self-improvement. And having become abbot, he builds the life of the brethren on the skills of hard work, on habits of strict order in everything - in reading, in the pursuit of knowledge, in thoughts and feelings.
Sergius himself did not distinguish himself from other members of the brethren; together with them he participated in common work, setting an example of true meekness and hard work.
In the "Life", which consists of separate plot-complete chapters-stories, a characteristic case is given when one peasant, who came to look at the famous abbot, does not recognize him in a monk digging up a garden, dressed in patched rags, and only the prince's bow to the ground before Sergius dispels his doubts.
In the conditions of the Tatar-Mongol yoke and devastating ruin, the protection of the Christian people from death overshadowed other church ministries. And Sergius participates in political life, supporting the far-sighted policy of the Grand Duke of Moscow in uniting forces for the liberation of the Motherland. For his part, the Grand Duke patronized the Sergius Monastery in every possible way, seeing in it the spiritual and moral support that was so necessary for the young center of political life. Thanks to such support, the Trinity Monastery acquires actual primacy among the monasteries of Moscow Rus', and its abbot is assigned the glory of a guardian of the Russian land. Sergius becomes the confessor of Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich, baptizes his sons, and participates in state affairs; Patriarch of Constantinople sends him his letters and gifts; Metropolitan Alexy, before his death, wanted to see him as his successor. “Glory and fame spread about him everywhere,” the chroniclers record; Along with events of national significance, they note the illness of the “wonderful old man”, calling him “saint” during his lifetime - a fact unprecedented in Russian history in relation to any person. Sergius was popularly called “Hegumen of the Russian Land.”
The Moscow princes more than once called on Sergius to resolve complex internecine disagreements, and the abbot of the famous monastery, only by the power of his moral authority, invariably subordinated the obstinate princes to the “voice of Moscow.” So, for example, in 1365, Sergius, on the instructions of Metropolitan Alexy, closed all the churches in Nizhny Novgorod in order to force the rebellious Prince Boris to agree to negotiations with the ally of Moscow, the Prince of Suzdal.
Sergius’s tireless activity in promoting the preparation of armed resistance to the Tatar enslavers received a particularly wide response among the people. While the Moscow prince Dmitry Ivanovich began the construction of fortifications south of Moscow, preparing the arena for the upcoming battles with the Mongols, Sergius, with the help of his students, founded a number of fortified monasteries here - Vysotsky near Serpukhov, Golutvin near Kolomna (1374), Simonov near Moscow (1379).
Punitive raids by nomads increasingly met with armed resistance, and the Moscow prince even stopped paying tribute (1374). Rus' is clearly beginning to disobey the Horde khans.
Then Murza Begich undertakes a well-prepared campaign against Moscow. But the Russian squads met the Tatar cavalry on Ryazan land near the Vozha River; when trying to cross the river, the Tatar army was defeated and put into panic flight (1378).
The Golden Horde decided not just to punish the disobedient Moscow “vassal”, but to again pass through the Russian land like a fiery tornado. For two years a huge army was assembled from all subject territories; reinforced by mercenaries from neighboring lands, it moved towards Moscow under the leadership of Temnik Mamai (1380), who was so confident of victory that he even ordered to stop work in the fields, promising to soon provide for everyone by plundering Russian lands. (“None of you plow bread, so that you will be ready for Russian bread.”)
Moscow Prince Dmitry Ivanovich showed foresight and courage - he not only managed to unite the military forces of the principalities, but also made an appeal to the people. His messengers announced everywhere that “they call upon all people to stand up for Rus'.” In a short time a great militia gathered under his banners; When the Russian army arrived at the review near Kolomna, “they themselves were surprised at their strength.”
Before leaving Moscow to join the troops, Prince Dmitry Ivanovich, full of thoughts and worries, together with his closest governors, visited Sergius of Radonezh in his monastery (ill. 8). The chroniclers tell how, after a prayer service for the success of the upcoming campaign, Sergius blessed the prince for his feat and, at his request, sent to them two monks of his monastery - Peresvet and Oslyabya, “who are very good at military affairs and how to train regiments, as well as those who have strength and great daring and courage.” . He seemed to emphasize by this that the war for the independence of the Motherland is sacred and it is the duty of everyone, including the monk, to take part in it. The blessing of the famous abbot for the battle was of great importance for maintaining high military spirit. The same role was played by the “encouraging letters” that the prince received from Sergius during the campaign. The contents of the letters invariably became known to the troops: “Without any hesitation, sir, go bravely against their ferocity, do not be horrified, God will help you in every way.”
Russian squads moved towards the enemy hordes, forestalling their raid on Moscow. They crossed to the other side of the Don and forced Mamai to fight on the spacious Kulikovo field. On September 8, 1380, when the morning rays of the sun dispersed the thick fog in the floodplain of the Don and Nepryadva, the opponents saw each other.
According to ancient custom, the battle began with a duel. The mighty Horde hero Temir-Murza (Chelubey), “great and terrible,” galloped in front of the ranks of Russian soldiers, clanking in his armor, loudly challenging the daredevil to measure their strength with him. Alexander Peresvet accepted the challenge - he rode out to meet him in a modest schematic robe, embroidered with crosses, tightly clutching a long spear. Deep silence reigned: both troops froze, watching the combat. Standing up in their stirrups, the opponents dispersed their horses and “made a mistake” at full gallop; Having pierced each other with spears, both fell dead along with their horses to the ground, “hitting hard as loudly and forcefully as the earth would shake.”
The end of the fight became the beginning of a historical battle. The Tatars attacked the advanced Russian regiment with all the might of their cavalry - “and the slaughter was great and the battle was strong” (ill. 9). Confident of success, Mamai, not caring about reserves, sent more and more forces into battle. More than once his warriors broke through to the grand ducal banner and tried to cut it down; it seemed they were close to victory. But at the most critical moment, a “reserve regiment” of Russians, secretly stationed in an oak grove on the banks of the Don, entered the battle. His rapid attack on the rear and flank of the enemy army caused panic. The Russians went on the offensive and turned the enemies into disorderly flight. Mamai himself was one of the first to gallop back ("and came running to his land not in a large squad"). Grand Duke Dmitry Ivanovich was found lying unconscious, but without serious wounds, although all the armor on him bore traces of enemy blows.
For eight days the Russian army did not leave the battlefield: the survivors buried the fallen. And many cities and principalities took their fellow countrymen in oak logs to their native lands. (Peresvet’s body was transferred to Moscow, to the Simonov Monastery, and buried in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Later, Rodion Oslyabya was laid next to him.)
The news of the defeat of the Tatars quickly spread throughout the land. Moscow greeted the victors with the ringing of bells and general rejoicing, and the people named their prince Donskoy. Returning to Moscow, Dmitry Donskoy visited the Trinity Monastery and stayed there for more than three weeks (from October 4 to October 28). He thanked Sergius for his support in a difficult time for the Motherland, and attended the funeral liturgy and memorial service for the thousands of warriors who remained on the Kulikovo Field. The prince on his own behalf granted the monastery “a place for a church and a cell near his sovereign’s court” in the Kremlin and exempted from collecting “sovereign duties” from monastery estates, trades and “from people of the anniversary” (universal taxes), “for now the house life-giving Trinity learn to stand."
In the Trinity Monastery, a tradition was established in Dmitrievskaya parent's Saturday commemorate the memory of the soldiers who fell on the Kulikovo Field; Peresvet and Oslyabya are especially remembered.
The victory on the Kulikovo Field was of great importance for the destinies of the Russian people: they perked up, believed in their own strength, and received real hope of complete deliverance from the hated Mongol yoke. And although another century will pass before the humiliating dependence on the Golden Horde is finally thrown off, this time will pass under the sign of growth national identity of the Russian people, their growing resistance to the enslavers. Long-suffering Rus' will not only survive and make up for the colossal damage caused by the conquerors, but will also create conditions for the further development of agriculture and cities, trade and crafts, culture and art.
The defeat on the Kulikovo Field caused an explosion of strife in the Golden Horde - Mamai was overthrown in disgrace, and he secretly, under an assumed name, fled to the Crimea, where he was killed. His successor, Khan Tokhtamysh, hastily began to assemble a new “great army” and a year later set out for Rus'. The campaign was prepared in deep secrecy, and the Tatars managed, unexpectedly for the Russians ("expelled"), to cross the Volga. And the princes of Nizhny Novgorod and Ryazan hurried to meet Tokhtamysh and made a promise not to touch their lands; For this, Oleg Ryazansky even undertook to show convenient crossings across the Oka.
Dmitry Donskoy received the news of the terrible invasion late; He did not have time to gather armies from other cities and principalities to fight back. With a small retinue the prince galloped north, past the Trinity Monastery - first to Pereyaslavl-Zalessky [*] , and then to Kostroma to prepare new shelves. The brethren of the Trinity Monastery, together with the abbot, hastily fled to Tver; Moscow Metropolitan Cyprian also took refuge there.
In August 1382, Tokhtamysh approached Moscow. The residents who had shut themselves up in the Kremlin fought off the Tatar assaults for three days; They were the first to use "fire combat" - firing stone cannonballs from cannons. But with the help of traitors, Tokhtamysh resorted to cunning: the sons of the Nizhny Novgorod princes, on his behalf, swore to the besieged that the Tatars were ready to leave as soon as they received a ransom. Muscovites succumbed to the insidious promises and themselves opened the gates of the fortress. And a terrible reckoning immediately followed: the Kremlin was looted and burned, more than 24 thousand people were killed, many burned or drowned in the river, fleeing death. However, fearing the approach of Dmitry Donskoy from Kostroma, Tokhtamysh hurried back; Before leaving, the Tatars plundered the cities around Moscow, and then did not spare the Ryazan principality. The Trinity Monastery, lost in the forests, did not get in the way of their robber detachments and remained intact. The Moscow princes had to bring tribute to the Horde again, only now in even larger quantities...
At that time, Ryazan remained the only appanage principality that did not submit to Moscow. Its prince Oleg treacherously violated treaties and more than once entered into an alliance with the Tatars; in 1385 he even attacked Kolomna and defeated the Moscow army. And then, at the request of Dmitry Donskoy, Sergius of Radonezh went to Ryazan. The chroniclers described in detail his diplomatic mission: “The wonderful old man used quiet and modest words... talking with him (Oleg Ryazansky - V.B.) about the soul’s progress and about peace and love,” and he, “only ashamed of the holy man ", changed "his ferocity to meekness." Oleg concluded “eternal peace and love from generation to generation” with Moscow, which he immediately reinforced with the marriage of his son to Dmitry’s daughter.
Sergius was also present at the death of Dmitry Donskoy: his name is under the spiritual charter of the Grand Duke, and among those who performed the funeral service for the Grand Duke, the first is called “Sergius, Abbot the Reverend Elder” (1389). Sergius outlived Dmitry Donskoy for a short time - the Moscow chronicler wrote in 1392: “In the same autumn... our reverend and God-bearing father, abbot Sergei Troetsky, also in Radonezh, reposed... and the Holy Trinity, which he himself created, was laid down in the most honorable monastery.” . Six months before his death, Sergius handed over the leadership of the monastery to his beloved student Nikon, with whom he even lived in the same cell for some time. Sergius wanted to be buried on the territory of the monastery - where all the monks were usually buried, but the brethren, with the consent of the metropolitan, buried him in the monastery church “on the right side.”
Assumption Cathedral. Photo: A. Dzhus.
The name of Sergius and his monastery forever merged with the fate of Russia. The Trinity Monastery became, as it were, the heart of Moscow Rus' and one of the largest centers of Russian antiquity, culture and enlightenment.
Sergius of Radonezh is one of those outstanding people in history Ancient Rus', whose activities had a beneficial effect on the destinies of the country and are preserved in people's memory. IN. Klyuchevsky defined his significance for Russian society as follows: “By the example of his life, by the height of his spirit, St. Sergius raised the fallen spirit of his native people, awakened in them confidence in himself and his strengths, and inspired faith in the future... With the name of St. Sergius, the people remember their moral revival, which made political revival possible, and confirms the rule that a political fortress is strong only when it rests on moral strength. This revival and this rule are the most precious contributions of St. Sergius... laid down in. living soul people."
By the end of the 14th century. Trinity Monastery became one of the influential centers of political and cultural life of Ancient Rus'; it then retained this meaning for centuries. "Sergius's activities in state affairs were probably the main reason that the Trinity Monastery... occupied a very important place within the entire Moscow state,” I. Zabelin rightly notes. The Monastery of Sergius was also an educational school, where the monks received a certain education and training for conducting missionary activities. The monastery had a collection of manuscripts and the correspondence of books was established ("and the books themselves are not on charters (parchment) pisakhu, but on berestech." Icon painting and artistic crafts ("handicrafts") are widely developed.
Famous artists, writers, and masters of applied art lived and worked in the Trinity Monastery. From here came the founders of other monasteries, who laid the foundation of North Russian communal monasticism and spread the traditions of the monastery of Sergius. These are Roman Kirzhachsky, Andronik Spassky, Methodius Pesnoshsky, Abraham Gorodetsky, Fyodor Simonovsky, Afanasy Vysotsky, Grigory Golutvinsky, Savva Zvenigorodsky, Pavel and Sylvester Obnorsky, Ferapont Belozersky and others. Only in the second half of the 14th century. Sergius and his disciples founded twenty-two monasteries in various Russian principalities. And the chronicler had every reason to make a postscript in the record of the death of Sergius: “He was the leader and teacher of all the monasteries in Rus'.”
The environment of the monastery is also changing. Epiphanius the Wise testifies that if at the time of the founding of the monastery “the place was empty... the whole country was forested, there was desert everywhere,” but now peasants are settling here, “having established many villages and courtyards and sowed the villages and created fruits of life and multiplied greatly.” . The village of Blagoveshchenskoye, located 2 km northwest of it, can serve as a unique model of the Trinity Monastery of that time. Mentioned in documents of the 15th century, this village has retained its original size and “quadruple” layout to this day: the huts are located on the sides of a rectangular square, in the middle of which rises wooden church.
Address: Russia, Moscow region, Sergiev Posad
Founded: in 1337
Founder: Sergius of Radonezh
Main attractions: Cathedral of the Life-Giving Trinity (1423), Cathedral of the Assumption Holy Mother of God(1585), Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit (1477), Gate Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist (1699), church Smolensk icon Mother of God(1748), bell tower (1770)
Shrines: relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, relics of St. Micah, Nikon, Dionysius of Radonezh, St. Maximus Greek, Saint Anthony (Medvedev), Saints Serapion of Novgorod, Joasaph of Moscow, Innocent of Moscow, Macarius (Nevsky)
Coordinates: 56°18"37.3"N 38°07"48.9"E
The Trinity-Sergius Lavra, or Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, is a male stauropegial monastery founded in the 14th century by St. Sergius of Radonezh (in the world Bartholomew). It is located 52 km from Moscow, in the city of Sergiev Posad. According to historical sources, the future founder of the Lavra was born in the spring of 1314 into a boyar family living in Rostov.
Holy Trinity Lavra of Sergius from a bird's eye view
The parents named their newborn baby Bartholomew, and from childhood they raised him in faith in the Almighty. Some time after his birth, little Bartholomew and his family went to permanent residence in the town of Radonezh. There, with all family members, he regularly attended all the services conducted by the ministers of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos (at that time the shrine was part of the Intercession Khotkov Monastery).
Having reached the age of 20, Bartholomew decided to accept monasticism and devote himself to the Lord, and asked for parental blessing for this activity. Of course, the father and mother approved of their son’s life choice, but they asked him not to enter into monasticism until their death.
They motivated this request by their old age and the lack of close people who could take care of them, because Bartholomew’s older brothers were already married at that time and lived in their own houses. But in 1337, after the death of his parents, Bartholomew finally realized his dream of serving God and went with his brother Stefan, who was widowed by that time, to the wilderness of the Moscow region.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
On Makovtse Hill, located near the Konchura River, they built a small temple, honoring the Holy Trinity with this action. Three years later, in 1340, the temple was consecrated.
Life in the wilderness turned out to be joyless for Stefan, and he left his brother, who meekly served the Lord. Not having the kind of fortitude that Bartholomew had, Stefan moved to the Moscow Epiphany Monastery and later became its abbot. Bartholomew himself spent the day and night in work, worries and prayers. So 2 years passed, and the rumor about the silent hermit spread throughout the area. His skete began to be surrounded by the cells of other monks who wished to serve the Almighty in the wilderness and took up isolated residence in the Trinity Hermitage.
Red gate tower with Holy Gate
After some time, ordinary residents appeared in the same area, trying to hide in the wilderness from the invasion of the Tatars.
The abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery, Father Mitrofan, took upon himself all the care of the monks. He tonsured Bartholomew a monk, giving him the name Sergius. The newly minted monk became a faithful assistant to the abbot, and when his mentor passed away, Sergius himself began to take care of the inhabitants of the monastery and its improvement.
The heyday of the Trinity Monastery under Sergius of Radonezh
Initially, the monastery was located on the southwestern slope of Makovetsky Hill. The Trinity Church with a refectory stood surrounded by wooden cells, and all the buildings were buried in the greenery of centuries-old trees.
Cathedral of the Life-Giving Trinity
Immediately behind the cells there were vegetable gardens laid out by the monks. There they grew vegetables and erected small outbuildings.
The fence of the Trinity Monastery was a wooden fence, and the top of the entrance gate was decorated with a church that perpetuated the memory of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica. You could get into the monastery courtyard along a narrow path, which was later widened to allow carts to pass through. In general, all the buildings of the Lavra were divided into 3 parts: public, residential, defensive. It is noteworthy that the repeated reconstructions carried out on the territory of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra did not affect the layout of the buildings.
Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit
According to the Lavra Chronicle, in the 60s of the 14th century, Sergius not only accepted the priesthood, but also received a letter, a cross and a simple blessing in verbal form from Felofey, Patriarch of Constantinople (he approved Sergius’ decision to introduce the rules of the “Common Rule” in the monastery ). The number of inhabitants in the monastery grew steadily, and in 1357 Archimandrite Simon moved here. Thanks to his rich donations, a new Trinity Church and buildings for various purposes were built in the monastery courtyard.
Sergius of Radonezh died at the end of September 1392 in the Holy Trinity Monastery itself. The holy founder of the Lavra was buried at the Trinity Church.
Church of Zosima and Savvatiy at the hospital wards
The main buildings of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, which have become its attractions
The white stone Trinity Cathedral, built from 1422 to 1423, became the first Russian monument architecture, honoring the founder of the Lavra, Sergius of Radonezh. The golden-domed shrine appeared on the territory of the monastery in the year of the canonization of Sergius, when his name was officially announced as the “patron of the Russian land.” The ashes of the deceased saint are kept here, in the cathedral, and the tombstone with his image is in the museum. The iconostasis of the cathedral is rich in works by Andrei Rublev, Daniil Cherny and the best masters their schools. Among all the icons, the “Trinity” created by Rublev himself stands out. How main temple Lavra Trinity Cathedral during construction was decorated with strict ornamental ribbons, in keeping with the traditions of asceticism.
Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God
The second most important shrine building is the Temple of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. Its construction was carried out in 1476 by Pskov masons, who used brick in their work. The result of their work was the Spiritual Church, attractive with the unusual location of the bell tower under the dome. In ancient times, churches with such a top were called “like bells,” which meant a combination of a church and a belfry in one building. But overall her style is uncomplicated.
The Assumption Cathedral is recognized as the main one in the Lavra. Its construction began back in 1559 by the craftsmen of Ivan the Terrible. And work on the construction of the cathedral ended in 1584, under Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich.
Metropolitan's chambers
The appearance of the shrine is distinguished by its simultaneous simplicity and severity, and only the five-domed top indicates its greatness. Interior decoration The cathedral is attractive with a huge carved iconostasis. Behind it, high above, there are platforms for singers. During the monks’ chants, parishioners feel as if their voices are coming “like from heaven.” All the walls and vaults of this cathedral are covered unique frescoes. Their production dates back to the summer of 1684, and the names of the artists can be read on the western wall of the temple, under the towel painting.
The Temple of Zosima and Savvaty Solovetsky is a neat tent church, which appeared in the monastery courtyard in honor of the students of Sergius of Radonezh. It is part of the Hospital Ward complex.
Belfry
For a long time, no one was involved in its improvement, and it gradually collapsed. But thanks to the skillful actions of the experienced restorer Trofimov I.V. The red and white temple regained its former grandeur and became one of the picturesque corners of the monastery. Inside it is decorated with green glazed tiles.
Smolensk Church is an elegant building, part of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. It owes its appearance to the architect Ukhtomsky, who designed it in the “Elizabethan Baroque” style. The unusual layout of the building lies in its 8-sided shape with curvilinear convex-concave edges. The lower part of the church is represented by a high white stone plinth. To date, 3 porches with grand staircases have been restored in the shrine building.
Tomb of the Godunovs
The crown of the head-shako is a cross trampling the crescent. This design of the top of the church is explained by wars with Muslim Turkey - a frequent occurrence in the 18th century.
The Nadkladeznaya Chapel is located next to the Assumption Cathedral. Her unusual appearance immediately attracts the attention of parishioners. Three octagons installed on a quadrangle - this architectural design was often found in the design of buildings of the 17th century, and the Nadkladeznaya Chapel became another embodiment of Naryshkin architecture. Another Nadkladeznaya chapel, Pyatnitskaya, stands east of the Pyatnitskaya and Vvedenskaya churches. Over the several centuries of its existence, it has lost many decorations and has not experienced restoration.
Gate Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist
But its wavy roof with light eights, the remains of platbands and a skillfully crafted entrance portal speak of the former beauty of this small structure.
The Tsar's Palace is a huge royal palace built for Alexei Mikhailovich. Such a distinguished guest often visited the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and his retinue included more than 500 souls. Such a large number of visitors needed a certain shelter, which explained the appearance of the Halls in the monastery courtyard. Despite its purpose - to provide a roof over the head of the king and his entourage, the spacious building had simple shapes. However, the decoration of its interiors, and the external tiles, and 2 tiled stoves seemed to hint at what kind of dear guests this building was being prepared for.
Saint Sergius of Radonezh is the hieromonk of the Russian Church, the founder of monasteries, among which the well-known Saint is not for nothing called the defender of the Russian land; he made every effort to unite it for a decisive rebuff to enemy conquerors. The emergence of the spiritual culture of Holy Rus' is associated with his name, he became the founder of the Russian eldership, and monasticism, which was begun by the great ascetics Anthony and Theodosius of the Kiev-Pechersk, was resumed with him. In the 15th century, Sergius of Radonezh was canonized. And before answering the question that worries many about where the relics of Sergius of Radonezh are located, let us first plunge into the life history of this great saint.
Life
The God-bearing Father was born on May 3, 1314 into the pious peasant family of Cyril and Mary (who were also canonized) in Rostov. True, his name was Bartholomew then. The Lord himself chose him to serve people. Pregnant Mary, standing at a service in the temple, suddenly heard the cry of a baby three times from her womb, heard by the people around her and by the priest himself, who immediately realized that a true servant of the Orthodox faith would soon be born.
In his youth, Bartholomew was sent to school, but his weak memory did not give him the opportunity to study well. One day, while walking through an oak grove, he saw an old monk who looked like an angel, and he blessed him for good studies. Bartholomew spent a lot of time reading Holy Scripture, he wanted to devote his life to God and become a monk, but while his parents were alive, he made a vow to himself.
Soon their whole family moved from Rostov to Radonezh, where after some time the parents reposed before the Lord. In 1337, Bartholomew gave away all his property and, together with his brother Stefan, who was already a monk, settled on the deserted Makovets hill. The brother soon could not stand the harsh life in the wild wilderness and returned to the brethren.
Bartholomew was left alone, then he was 23 years old. One day Hieromonk Mitrofan came to him, who blessed him to become a monk with the name Sergius.
People in the area quickly learned about the pious monk, and other monks were drawn to him. Together they began to build a small chapel in honor of Then God's help a monastery was built. Smolensk Archimandrite Simon once made a special visit to them and left precious gifts for the brethren to expand the monastery and build a large church.
Holy Trinity Lavra of Sergius
Since 1355, with the blessing of Philotheus, a communal charter was adopted in the monastery of Father Sergius of Radonezh. Very soon the Holy Trinity Monastery became the center of Moscow lands, supported by the princes. It was here that Sergius of Radonezh blessed Dmitry Donskoy for the Battle of Kulikovo (September 21, 1380).
The Monk Sergius gave his soul to the Lord on September 25, 1392. He had a presentiment of this and gathered the brethren in advance to bless his student, the intelligent and experienced Reverend Nikon, for the abbess.
Saint Sergius of Radonezh played a huge role in the unification of Rus'. He did the literally impossible - he reconciled two at that time warring religions. He explained to the Vedic Russians that faith in Jesus Christ has nothing in common with Western Christianity and that Christ did not teach the crusades, the destruction of Vedic idols and the burning of heretics at the stake. He explained to everyone that now there is absolutely no time for hostility when such perverted Christianity is coming from the West. These pseudo-Christians, under the guise of the name of Christ, commit the most heinous crimes. Saint Sergius of Radonezh was a true mourner of the Russian land; he always prayed for Rus', so that its vigilant and accursed enemy would not overcome it.
Strong walls of the monastery
The heirs to the royal throne were baptized in the famous Holy Trinity Monastery Vasily III and Ivan the Terrible. Soon this monastery turned into a defensive fortress, which was surrounded by stone walls with 12 towers. Ivan the Terrible personally supervised the construction. All this later came in handy when defending against the troops of False Dmitry II.
In 1608-1609, the Sergiev Posad land repulsed a powerful army of thousands of Poles led by governors Sapieha and Lisovsky. Then the Russian governors were Prince G.B. Roshcha-Dolgoruky and nobleman Alexei Golokhvastov. They prayed incessantly and knew that Saint Sergius of Radonezh was always helping them. They kept his relics like the apple of their eye. At the tomb of the holy elder, everyone kissed the cross and swore that they would never leave their monastery alive.
what does it help with?
In any temple you can always find an image venerable elder Sergius. His icon conveys to us a deep look, full of humility and wisdom. On May 3/May 16, 2014, a great date was celebrated - the 700th anniversary of the birth of St. Sergius of Radonezh, whom everyone considered a saint during his lifetime. He was respected by various rulers, princes, boyars and ordinary people.
It is not for nothing that many are interested in the question: “What does the icon of Sergius of Radonezh help with?” People turn to the face of the saint with sincere prayer to receive protection and help in unpleasant life circumstances. And parents ask him for their children, so that they study well, are well-mannered and kind, and never fall under someone’s bad influence.
Prayer Book Help
St. Sergius of Radonezh does not leave anyone inconsolable: his relics have the power that is capable of healing. The monks of the monastery described huge amount cases of miraculous healing.
He makes everyone think about their life and feel whether they are ready to lay down their lives for the Fatherland, as our ancient ancestors did at the prompting of the holy seer?
The real amulet of Russia from its enemies is St. Sergius of Radonezh. The relics, to which hundreds of thousands of pilgrims come, are miraculous and healing.
The holy elder peacefully departed to the Lord on September 25/October 8, 1392. After three decades, the miraculous relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh were majestically discovered, which were always kept in the monastery as long as it was safe.
Many people are interested in the question of how to properly venerate relics. As usual, everyone venerates only the silver ark in which the relics of Holy Father Sergius are kept, where at the level of the head there is a special door, which is sometimes opened, then it is possible to venerate the covered head of the saint.
History of the relics
I would like to supplement the topic “Sergius of Radonezh: relics” with one amazing story from the priest’s grandson. On Lazarus Saturday before Easter 1919, the opening of the relics of the saint was supposed to take place Soviet authorities. The safe preservation of the relics was called into question. Father Pavel found out about this, who arranged a secret meeting with the governor of the monastery, Father Kronid, Count Yu. A. Olsufiev (member of the commission for the protection of monuments), S. P. Mansurov and M. V. Shik, who then became priests. They secretly came to the Trinity Cathedral, read a prayer in front of the shrine containing the relics of the saint, then, using a spear, separated the head of the saint and replaced it with the head of Prince Trubetskoy, who had once been buried in the Lavra. The head of Saint Sergius was temporarily left to be kept in the sacristy. Count Olsufiev then placed the head of the saint in an oak ark and began to keep it at home (Sergiev Posad, Valovaya Street). In 1928, fearing arrest, he buried the ark in his garden.
Successful operation
In 1933, after Pavel’s father was arrested, Olsufiev fled to Nizhny Novgorod, where he told this story to Pavel Aleksandrovich Golubtsov (the future Bishop Sergius - Bishop of Novgorod), who soon managed to take the ark from the count’s garden and move it to Nikolo-Ugreshsky, Moscow Region monastery. There the ark was kept until the end of the Great Patriotic War. Returning from the war, Golubtsov gave the ark with the shrine to Olsufiev’s adopted daughter E.P. Vasilchikova, who secretly gave the honorable head of St. Sergius to Patriarch Alexy I in 1946. And he blessed it to be returned to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra when it reopened.
Conclusion
Now we can fully answer the question: “Where are the relics of Sergius of Radonezh?” They are still kept in the Holy Trinity Lavra. Almost every day thousands of pilgrims come to pray to the holy relics. In the monastery, near the relics, real miracles occur, which do not go unnoticed and are recorded in detail so that everyone has faith and hope for healing.
In honor Reverend Abbot Sergius, a huge number of churches and monasteries were built in Moscow and St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, in Arkhangelsk, Tula, Tyumen and other regions.
Trinity-Sergius Lavra This is an abbreviated name, but the full and official name of the monastery is "Holy Trinity Lavra of Sergius". The word “lavra” is translated from Greek as a city street or a crowded monastery. IN Orthodox tradition Laurels are large monasteries with special historical and spiritual significance.
The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is located at: Sergiev Posad, Krasnogorskaya square.
If you drive from Moscow along Red Army Avenue, the Lavra will be visible on the left side behind house 131 (New shopping arcades, a beautiful red brick building).
GPS coordinates of the Lavra - 56.310243, 38.132373 .
Official website of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. Be careful, there are occasional errors on the site! But overall the site is very informative.A brief history of the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius.
- 1337 (1342 ?) year. Brothers Stefan and Bartholomew (the future Venerable Sergius of Radonezh), about 10 kilometers from Khotkovo on Makovets Hill, built a cell and a small church in honor of the Holy Trinity. This place began to be called the Trinity Hermitage on Makovets and subsequently grew into the Holy Trinity Monastery.
- 1344 year. Sergius of Radonezh becomes abbot of the monastery.
- 1355 year. In order to stop discord among the brethren and not want a quarrel with his elder brother Stephen in connection with the change in the charter of the monastery from a special one to a communal one, Sergius of Radonezh left the monastery and returned only in 1357.
- August 1382 year. Invasion of Moscow Khan Tokhtamysh. Sergius of Radonezh and his brothers are hiding in Tver.
- December 1408 year. Invasion temnik of the Golden Horde of Edigei. The Trinity-Sergius Monastery was looted and burned.
- 09/23/1608 -01/12/1610 art. (3.10.1608 - 22.01.1610 new)- Siege of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery by the troops of False Dmitry II.
- 8 July 1742 (22 June 1744) year by decree of the empress Elizaveta Petrovna The Holy Trinity Monastery in Sergiev Posad was given the status of a lavra. The dating of this event has different interpretations. The following text about this event is posted on the official website of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra:
... July 8, 1742 year, by a special imperial decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, the Trinity-Sergius Monastery was given the status and name of Lavra.
22 June 1744 followed by a decree from the Synod to Archimandrite Arseny and his brethren about naming the Trinity-Sergius Monastery Lavra...Why the Synod duplicated the Empress’s decree almost two years later and which of the decrees is “more important” is up to you to decide.
- 1814 year. The Moscow Theological Academy was transferred to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
- IN 1918-1919 years, the Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is nationalized and closed, the monks are expelled.
- April 11, 1919 year. Opening of the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh in the Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra.
- IN 1946-1948 years, the gradual return of the Russian Trinity-Sergius Lavra begins Orthodox Church On April 19, 1946, the first divine service was held in the Assumption Cathedral of the Lavra - Matins according to the rite of Great Saturday.
- IN 1993 year, the laurel was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
The architectural ensemble of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra contains more than 50 different buildings and structures, including more than ten temples. Since the most interesting objects for the attention of tourists are religious buildings, only the temples of the Lavra are marked on the plan. The temples are numbered in chronological order as they were erected in the monastery.
Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. Layout of temples.
The plan of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra was made based on a drawing from the official website of the Lavra stsl.ru
Temples of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
1. Holy Trinity Cathedral, 1422-1423.
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The main cathedral church and the first stone building of the Lavra. It was erected by the abbot Rev. Nikon on the site of the first wooden Trinity Church. The son of Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy, Yuri, Prince of Zvenigorod and Galitsk, godson of St. Sergius of Radonezh, contributed to the construction of the temple. The icons and frescoes of the Holy Trinity Cathedral were made in 1423 (1425?)-1427 by an artel of masters under the leadership of the Rev. Andrei Rublev and Daniil Cherny. Unfortunately, the original decor of the temple was almost completely lost. In 1635, the frescoes were renewed and subsequently added to. Shrines of the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh- in a shrine in the southern part of the cathedral. Things of St. Sergius: schema, staff and two wooden liturgical plates.
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2. Church in honor of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles (Spiritual Church),
1476-1477
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The Spiritual Church is considered the oldest surviving temple built in the “bell style” style - when the bell tower rests on the church vaults. Initially the bell tower rang "Pskov ringing"- the sound was made by swinging the bell itself, and not its tongue. Moreover, the bell was swung from the ground through a system of ropes and levers. On the bell tower of the Spiritual Church hung a special “alarm” bell, which during Rules for visiting the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra.Dear and respected tourists! Monastic kvass. Real monastic kvass. Complete excursion to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra I advise real monastic kvass. True, this kvass has one significant drawback - after trying it, you are unlikely to want to drink other drinks, which are obviously called “kvass” only due to a misunderstanding. Real kvass is monastic kvass! |
The fate of the Lavra is closely intertwined with the name of Sergius of Radonezh. The ascetic transferred the idea of common monastic service from Kievan Rus north, to the Moscow Principality. In 1337, Bartholomew, the future Sergius, and his brother settled in remote places 3 hours northeast of the Intercession Khotkov Monastery, where their parents took monastic vows. Soon other believers joined the men, and the improvised settlement quickly acquired a wooden church of the Holy Trinity and economic services. Subsequently, when Bartholomew became monk Sergius and took the post of abbot, a town was formed around the monastery, which became the basis of modern Sergiev Posad. Wooden temples were destroyed during the invasion of Edigei; the first ones appeared in the 15th century. stone structures. The monastery grew until in 1744 it received the status of Lavra, the highest in Orthodox hierarchy monasteries. After the revolution, the monks were evicted from the monastery, but since 1946 religious activities have been resumed. In the second half of the twentieth century, the complex underwent a global reconstruction.
Panorama of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra
Trinity CathedralSights of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra
On the territory of the monastery there are about 50 objects built in different times. To examine them, let alone attend church services, one quick visit is clearly not enough. Tourists are recommended to stay in hotels and hostels in the vicinity of the monastery and spend several days exploring the sights of the monastery.
Trinity Cathedral
In the oldest religious building complex, built in the 15th century, is stored main shrine monastery, the object of worship of Orthodox pilgrims from all over the country is the miraculous relics of St. Sergius. The white stone temple with golden domes was painted by Andrei Rublev, but the original frescoes have not survived. The former beauty of the image can only be judged by later copies. Single-headed white church, standing modestly next to the cathedral, was built over the grave of Nikon of Radonezh, the faithful disciple and successor of Sergius.
Assumption Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Sergius LavraAssumption Cathedral
According to the plan of Ivan the Terrible, who was baptized in the Lavra, the representative Assumption Cathedral was supposed to repeat the outlines of the temple of the same name from the ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin. However, the new building was not just a copy of an existing one, but an original work of art: the famous master Simon Ushakov worked on the design of the iconostasis, and the frescoes were painted by outstanding representatives of the Moscow icon painting school. And here there were historical burials: the grave of Boris Godunov was preserved near the walls of the Assumption Cathedral.
Bell tower of the Trinity-Sergius LavraBell tower of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra
The openwork five-tiered bell tower, designed by architect Dmitry Ukhtomsky in the mid-18th century, is rightfully considered the most beautiful in Russia. Once upon a time, dozens of bells sounded here, but after the revolution they were mercilessly destroyed and restored only in the 21st century. The largest of them, the Tsar Bell, weighs more than 70 tons.
Small churches and other buildings
The miniature Spiritual Church was erected in the 15th century by visiting craftsmen from Pskov. Its belfry is located directly under the dome, which is completely atypical for Moscow architecture. The richly decorated gateway Church of the Baptist was built above the eastern entrance to the monastery on the initiative of the Stroganov merchants. The festive red and white building has become an outstanding example of Baroque Russian architecture. The smallest church of the complex, Mikheevskaya, appeared in the 18th century on the spot where the Mother of God once appeared to Sergius of Radonezh. Next to the Assumption Cathedral, from 8 am to 8 pm, an elegant chapel is open: it was erected over a source of healing water.
Layout of the Lavra territory with attractionsTourist information
Thanks to its favorable location, the Lavra ensemble is clearly visible from different points of Sergiev Posad. The easiest way to get to the city is from Moscow by train from the Yaroslavsky station, or by bus from the Shchelkovo bus station. From the Sergiev Posad railway station to the eastern entrance to the monastery, it’s a 15-minute walk in a northwest direction; from the bus station, located on the same line, the path is even shorter. Entrance to the complex is free, but it is customary to leave a small donation when visiting.
Duck TowerRules of conduct in the Lavra
Since the Trinity-Sergius Lavra is first of all active monastery, to behavior and appearance visitors are subject to strict requirements. Women must wear low-cut skirts or dresses that cover the knees. On this day, it is better to go without makeup and tie a scarf on your head. Men should not appear in temples in shorts and breeches. Smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited on the territory of the Lavra, in its restaurants, cafes and hotels. Photography is allowed with some restrictions: you cannot photograph the service and the monks, even just walking through the courtyard; flash is not used inside the buildings so as not to damage the wall paintings.
Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of GodWhere to stay
The Lavra owns several inexpensive hotels for pilgrims on the territory of Sergiev Posad. The Voznesenskaya Hotel, with 4-8-bed rooms and shared amenities, is open a 10-minute walk southeast of the Lavra in a bright red building visible from afar on the street of the same name. The flow of people wishing to stay in this hostel for only 300-350 rubles per day is always large, so places are booked at least a month in advance. At approximately the same distance northeast of the Lavra, on Red Army Avenue, there is the Staraya Monastyrskaya Hotel, built almost 200 years ago on the picturesque shore of the White Pond. This is a classic hotel with all the amenities, with rooms ranging from economy to suites. In both buildings you can have a full lunch; you can satisfy your slight hunger with fresh monastery pastries in the cafe right in the Lavra, during excursions.
Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra
Religious services
The Orthodox canon prohibits monasteries from conducting funeral ceremonies, weddings, and baptisms, but in the Lavra you can order funeral and health prayers for family and friends. Daily services for pilgrims are held in the Trinity Cathedral: matins at 5-6 o'clock, then akathists every 2 hours St. Sergius. Additional load in holidays takes over the Assumption Cathedral: at 17 o'clock it starts here All-night vigil, at 5:30 - Early, and at 8:30 - Late Liturgy. On Easter and during Great Lent, the schedule may change, so pilgrims are advised to check the information in advance with the monastery’s telephone helpline.
Nature
