After baptism by Prince Vladimir, a huge number of Orthodox monasteries were founded and opened on the territory of Russia. Of course, there were monasteries in such a significant city as Moscow. Epiphany Monastery - one of the oldest in the capital. In antiquity, it is second only to Danilovsky.
Founding History
When exactly this monastery was founded, scientists-historians, unfortunately, failed to find out exactly. Presumably, the monastery was founded in 1296, fourteen years after Danilovsky. The prince of Moscow and Vladimir at that time was the youngest son of A. Nevsky Daniil Alexandrovich. It is believed that the laying of the Epiphany Monastery took place precisely on his initiative. History is silent about who was the first rector of the monastery. It is only known that some time after its foundation, Stefan, the elder brother of Sergius of Radonezh, became hegumen. The future Metropolitan of All Russia Alexy was also appointed rector of this monastery.
Prince Daniil Alekseevich
The founder himselfThe Epiphany Monastery was born in 1261. In fact, Prince Daniel Alekseevich is the ancestor of the Moscow line of the Rurik family, that is, all subsequent kings. During his reign, Russia was under the yoke of the Golden Horde. Like all other princes of that time, he took part in internecine wars. However, at the same time he showed himself to be one of the most peaceful rulers. Among other things, Prince Daniel Alexandrovich took care of the faith of the people living on his territory. In addition to the Epiphany, he founded the Danilovsky Monastery, as well as the Bishop's House on Krutitsy. Like many Russian princes, he was canonized by the church (in 1791). This saint is revered as the faithful Daniel.
It is conventionally believed that the Epiphany Monastery was founded in 1296, because it was at that time that Daniil Alekseevich took the title of Prince of Moscow.
Good location
The place for the construction of the Epiphany Monastery "behind the Market" was not chosen by chance. Firstly, the main Moscow road to Vladimir and Suzdal passed nearby. And secondly, the Kremlin was located in the immediate vicinity. So it was very convenient for Prince Daniel of Moscow and Vladimir to go to services. In addition, the Neglinka River flowed in the immediate vicinity, which made it much easier for the monks to lead the Jordan and organize the procession for the patronal feast.
Since artisans and merchants lived around the monastery in the suburb then, it was originally called “what is beyond the Market”. Furthera more accurate expression was used “what is behind the Rag row”, since in the immediate vicinity of the monastery there were stalls of fur traders.
Fires
At the time of the founding of the monastery, almost all of Moscow was made of wood. The Epiphany Monastery was also originally built of logs. And, of course, soon, during one of the town fires, the monastery burned down. When exactly this happened is unknown. The first years of the life of the monastery are generally shrouded in mystery for historians. However, there is evidence that in 1340 the son of Prince Daniel, Ivan Kalita, laid the first stone church on the territory of the monastery - the single-domed Epiphany Church on four pillars and a high foundation. Thus, this cathedral became the first stone structure erected outside the Kremlin.
For the second time, the Epiphany Monastery suffered from a fire in 1547. This misfortune happened six months after Ivan the Terrible was crowned king. During the reign of the latter, the monastery, like all of Russia, experienced hard times. Many disgraced boyars, princes and clergymen were kept within the walls of the monastery. In particular, it was here that Metropolitan Philip was imprisoned, who publicly condemned the tsar for organizing the oprichnina.
There were fires in the monastery in subsequent years - in 1551, 1687, 1737. During the Troubles, the monastery was completely plundered and burned by the Poles (1612). This time the tsars from the Romanov dynasty had to rebuild the monastery. Subsequently, Patriarch Filaret took great care of the Epiphany Monastery.
Moreone fire that destroyed the monastery was in Moscow in 1686. This time, the mother of Peter the Great, Natalia Naryshkina, restored the monastery. For the new Epiphany Cathedral, one of the then fashionable baroque architectural trends was chosen. Now this style is called Naryshkin.
School of the Likhudov brothers
Education of the common people in those distant times, of course, very little attention was paid. Only a few ascetic monks taught the children of artisans and peasants. Moscow was no exception in this regard. The Epiphany Monastery became one of the few in which a school was organized. The Likhud brothers, who were very educated for that time and invited from Greece, taught there. Later, their school was moved to the Zaikonospassky Monastery. Later it was transformed into the famous Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy.
Rich monastery
This monastery burned, thus, very often. However, like the whole of Moscow. Meanwhile, the Epiphany Monastery was almost always restored quickly. This monastery throughout its history has been one of the richest in Russia. Immediately after the founding, the brethren of the monastery began to receive large donations from Moscow princes and boyars. Favored this holy place and the kings. So, for example, in 1584 Ivan the Terrible donated a large sum of money to the Epiphany Monastery to commemorate the murdered disgraced. In 1632, the monastery received the right to a duty-free alloy of building materials and firewood.
The monastery once had stables anda forge was in operation. The monks also profited from renting out the premises. In different years, noble people also donated lands to the Epiphany Convent. So did Prince Vasily III, Ivan the Terrible, Boris Godunov, the Sheremetyevs, and others. In 1672, the noblewoman K. Repnina transferred the possessions on Nikolskaya Street to the monastery. Thus, the second courtyard of the monastery was formed. Residential stone chambers separated it from the first one.
Cathedral of the Epiphany Monastery in Moscow: architectural features
The main temple of the monastery includes two churches - upper and lower. The first was lit once in the name of Theophany itself. Lower Church - Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. In this temple during the time of the Romanovs there was a large necropolis with the tombs of the most noble families of Russia - the Sheremetevs, the Golitsyns, the S altykovs and others.
The Church of the Epiphany is oriented vertically - on the square there is an octagon, in turn, crowned with a head, which also has 8 faces. Even today, the tower of the Epiphany Church rises majestically above the modern buildings of Nikolskaya Street. The facades of the cathedral are richly decorated with carvings. The platbands of windows with ridges and figured columns look especially impressive. Above the western entrance to the cathedral there is a bell tower with a spire. Between the refectory and the quadrangle of the temple there is a gallery with additional aisles. In addition to icons, the interior is decorated with sculptural compositions "Christmas", "Coronation of the Virgin" and "Baptism".
Other churches of the monastery
In addition to the Epiphany, two more Orthodox churches once operated on the territory of the monastery. The firstwas consecrated in the name of the Nativity of John the Baptist. This gate church was dismantled in 1905 for the construction of an apartment building. The second gate church stood until the revolution. It was destroyed in the 1920s.
Abode in Soviet times
The monastery was closed in the very first years of the Bolsheviks. Services in the Cathedral of the Epiphany were discontinued in 1929. The premises of the monastery were adapted for a hostel for students of the Mining Academy, as well as offices of the Metrostroy. Later, metalworking shops operated on the territory of the monastery.
During the Second World War, the monastery was almost destroyed. A downed German bomber fell right next to it. The houses on the next street collapsed. Falling, the plane demolished the head of the cathedral. It was restored already in the 90s by the diocese of Moscow.
In the 80s, historical research and archaeological excavations were carried out on the territory of the monastery. The monastery was handed over to believers in 1991.
Surviving buildings
Unfortunately, the monastery was not restored even after the transfer of the Russian Orthodox Church. At the moment, in addition to the Cathedral of the Epiphany, only monastic cells and rector's chambers of the 18th-19th centuries have been preserved on its territory. Also in the monastery there is a building of modern construction - an administrative building erected in the 50s of the last century. Today, the diocese of Moscow is carrying out restoration work on the territory of the complex.
Address
Today, believing Christians have a wonderfulthe opportunity to visit the beautiful Cathedral of the Epiphany for prayer, and tourists to explore the territory of one of the most ancient monasteries in Russia. The monastery is located at the address: Moscow, Bogoyavlensky lane, 2. In the immediate vicinity of it is the entrance to the metro station "Revolution Square".
Today, as in the past, religious services are held in the monastery. As before, the believers visit the Epiphany Monastery (Moscow). Unction, baptism, wedding - all these ceremonies can be done in his only church. Near the monastery there is another attraction, this time a modern one - a monument to the educators brothers Likhuds. This monument was erected in Bogoyavlensky Lane in 2007.
Epiphany Monastery (Moscow): schedule of services today
Of course, it is better to visit the territory of the monastery at a time when divine services are going on in its temple. Their schedule may vary depending on church holidays. On May 1, 2016 (Easter), it looked, for example, like this:
- 00:00 - Easter matins.
- 2:00 - Early Liturgy.
- 9:00 - Confession.
- 9:30 - Late Liturgy.
- 10:45 - Procession.
- 14:00 - Easter supper.
The exact schedule of services for a given day can be found on the official website of the Church of the Epiphany in Moscow.
