There are about two dozen active monasteries in Moscow. Most of them are Orthodox, but there are Old Believers and Catholic among them. Many monasteries were built before the revolution and are of both cultural and architectural value.
Operating convents in Moscow
There are 8 active female monasteries in the Russian capital:
- Novodevichy;
- Zachatievsky;
- Alekseevsky;
- John the Baptist;
- Theotokos-Rozhdestvensky;
- Pokrovsky;
- Martha and Mary Convent;
- Trinity-Odigitrieva Zosimova Hermitage.
The functioning monasteries can be safely called a state within a state. Life in them is different from the mundane. Each monastery has its own charter. Access to the territory is usually limited. In some rooms, the entrance to tourists is strictly prohibited. Many monasteries hold something like an open door, when laymen can be inside and see with their own eyes the life of novices.
Novodevichy Convent
This is one of the oldest active convents in the capital. Its architectural ensemble is recognized by UNESCO as a cultural heritage site. The monastery is located at 1 Novodevich Proyezd (Sportivnaya metro station). It was erected in 1524 by order of Vasily III. Ten years earlier, the tsar had vowed to build a monastery and a temple with him, if he could win back Smolensk. The city was taken, and in Moscow the New Maiden Monastery with a cathedral church in the name of the Smolensk Icon soon appeared.
According to legend, the place for the monastery was not chosen by chance. Once upon a time, it was there that the Tatar-Mongols built a number of Russian girls, chose the most beautiful and took them to the Golden Horde. This place was called the Maiden's Field.
Once in this monastery, Russian tsars locked up unwanted wives and sisters. So, within its walls, Tsarina Irina Godunova, the sister and first wife of Peter I, took monastic vows. After the revolution, the Novodevichy Convent, like many others, was closed. It only reopened its doors to novices in 1994.
Conception Monastery
This is perhaps the most ancient women's monastery in Moscow. It was founded in 1360. After the revolution, it was looted and closed, returned to the church in 1991. The monastery is located in the 2nd Zachatyevsky lane, house 2 (metro station "Kropotkinskaya").
Above the entrance to the monastery there is a gate church. It is the only one of its kind, preserved during the years of religious persecution. In front of the entrance there is a monument to the founder of the monastery, Metropolitan Alexy.
Alekseevsky monastery
The abode is located in the 2nd Krasnoselsky lane, house 7 (Krasnoselskaya metro station). The Alekseevsky Monastery has a very interesting history. It was founded in 1358 and was then called the Novo-Alekseevsky monastery. The monastery was originally located on Ostozhenka, in the 16th century it was transported to the place where the Cathedral of Christ the Savior is now, and in the 19th century - to Krasnoe Selo.
The Bolsheviks destroyed the monastery and laid a road in its place. Then one church survived. In 1991, a new parish appeared in it, 19 years later a sisterhood in the name of Alexy was created, and then a monastery was opened.
John the Baptist Monastery
It appeared in 1415. Initially, it was male and was located in Zamoskvorechye. In 1533, the monastery was rebuilt by Vasily III in honor of the appearance of the long-awaited heir. The monastery changed its registration and became a female one. It is located in Maly Ivanovsky Lane, Building 2 (Kitay-Gorod metro station). It contains an ancient icon of the Prophet and Baptist John with a part of his relics, as well as a part of the Cross of the Lord.
Theotokos-Rozhdestvensky monastery
The abode is located at 20 Rozhdestvenka Street (Trubnaya metro stations, Kuznetsky Most metro stations). It was opened in 1386 by order of Princess Maria Serpukhovskoy in honor of the victory of the Russian people on the Kulikovo field. Her son also took part in this battle. The first inhabitants were widows, mothers and orphans of soldiers who died on the Kulikovo field. After the revolution, the monastery resumed its work in 1993.
Pokrovsky monastery
Located at 58 Taganskaya Street (metro stations "Marksistskaya", "Proletarskaya"). Founded in 1635 by Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich. It was originally a monastery for men. During the invasion of the French, its buildings were badly damaged, but were subsequently restored. In 1994 the monastery found a new life.
Martha and Mary Convent
Located on Bolshaya Ordynka, 34 (Tretyakovskaya metro station). Outwardly, one might think that the monastery belongs to the ancient monuments of architecture. In fact, it was built in 1909 by order of Princess Elizabeth Feodorovna. She decided to build a monastery in memory of her husband, who died at the hands of a terrorist.
Trinity-Odigitrieva Zosimova Hermitage
It is located on the territory of New Moscow, in the settlement of Novofedorovskoye, near Troitsk. It was discovered by the monk Zosima in 1826. Within the walls of the monastery there is an icon of the Mother of God "Hodegetria" and a particle of the Cross of the Lord.
Operating monasteries in Moscow
There are 8 male monasteries on the territory of the capital, which operate:
- Danilov;
- Andreevsky;
- Vysoko-Petrovsky;
- Nikolo-Perervinsky;
- Donskoy;
- Zaikonospassky;
- Novospassky
- Sretensky.
Each of them, like women, has its own charter and history. Guided tours are conducted on their territory and in some premises.
Danilov monastery
It stands on the right bank of the Moskva River, on Danilovsky Val, building 22 (Tulskaya metro station). Founded in 1282 at the behest of Prince Danila of Moscow, son of Alexander Nevsky. The name comes from the name of the patron saint, the holy Pillar Daniel. The monastery was almost completely destroyed during the Tatar raid. It acquired its former appearance during the reign of Ivan the Terrible.
In 1812 it was plundered by the French. In the 30s of the last century, the monastery was closed, placing an NKVD isolator within its walls. In 1982, the monastery was transferred to the church. It contains an unusual shrine - the slipper of St. Spyridon of Trimifunsky.
Andreevsky Monastery
Located at the foot of Vorobyovy Gory, on Andreevskaya embankment, building 2 (metro station "Leninsky Prospekt", "Vorobyovy Gory"). The predecessor of this monastery is the Preobrazhenskaya Hermitage, which existed in the 13th century. Its buildings burned down in 1547. In their place, a century later, a new stone monastery was erected. Under Peter I it was abolished. In 1991, a male courtyard appeared. The monastery was re-established only in 2013.
Vysoko-Petrovsky Monastery
The abode is located at 28 Petrovka Street (Chekhovskaya metro station). It was founded in 1315 at the suggestion of Metropolitan Peter. Unique buildings appeared later, in the 16th century. Several shrines are kept in the monastery walls, including the relics of the founder, Seraphim of Sarov, Sergius of Radonezh, Spiridon of Trimifuntsky.
Nikolo-Perervinsky monastery
It is located at 28 Shosseinaya Street (Pechatniki metro station). The monastery was first mentioned in 1623. It was originally a wooden temple. The stone buildings date back to the 18th century. Now the monastery has the status of a Patriarchal courtyard. A theological seminary operates on its basis.
Donskoy monastery
This monastery is considered one of the most revered in the capital. It is located at 1 Donskoy Square (Shabolovskaya metro station). The monastery was founded by Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich in 1591 as a sign of the deliverance of the capital from the Tatar khan Kazy-Girey. He considered the departure of the enemies a miracle of God. The tsar was devout and on the eve of the battle ordered the Russian soldiers to go around the walls of Moscow with the icon of the Mother of God. The Tatars retreated, and the same icon is still kept in the monastery.
Zaikonospassky monastery
The monastery has the status of a Patriarchal courtyard. Located at 7 Nikolskaya Street (metro station "Ploschad Revolyutsii"). The monastery was founded in 1600 by Boris Godunov. Many buildings of that time have been preserved, therefore the monastery is recognized as a monument of history and architecture. During the Soviet years, various organizations were located in the monastery. In the 90s, it was transferred to the church.
Novospassky monastery
It is located at 10 Krestyanskaya Square (Proletarskaya metro station). The monastery was founded in 1490 by the son of Alexander Nevsky on the site where the Danilovsky monastery stands today. Already his son, Ivan Kalita, moved the monastery to the Kremlin, closer to his palace. Subsequently, the Tatars plundered the monastery and burned it down, killing the abbot. It was rebuilt by Dmitry Donskoy. The monastery keeps the belt of St. John of Kronstadt.
Sretensky monastery
It is located on Bolshaya Lubyanka, building 19 (metro station "Sretensky Boulevard"). The monastery was founded in 1397 by order of Prince Vasily I. In 1925 it was closed. Monastic life within its walls was revived in 1991. It contains an exact copy of the Turin Shroud, particles of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker and Seraphim of Sarov.
Catholic monastery in Moscow
In total, there are five active Catholic monasteries in Russia. One of them - the monastery of St. Francis - is located in Moscow. It is male and is located at Shmitovskiy proezd, building 2A (Vystavochnaya metro station). The permission for its construction was signed by Peter I. However, the community did not last long. It was recreated again in 1993. Three years later, the monastery itself was canonically revived.
Old Believer active monastery in Moscow
There is also a monastery for Old Believers in the Russian capital - the Transfiguration Monastery. It is female and is located on Preobrazhensky Val, house 17 (metro station "Preobrazhenskaya ploshchad"). The monastery was founded in 1771. Then the plague raged and the Old Believers were allocated land on the outskirts of the capital, so that they would organize quarantine for fellow believers there.
In the 30s of the last century, like most religious buildings, the Transfiguration Monastery was destroyed. Only part of the buildings survived. On the site of the broken cells, a market was opened, which is still open. Despite this, the Old Believers managed to preserve several ancient icons. They are now in the monastery.
