Just 18 km from Rostov is the amazing Borisoglebsky Monastery. It is well preserved, especially considering its advanced age. The massive walls of the monastery cause some bewilderment: do monks really need such reliable protection from worldly fuss? The Borisoglebsky Monastery in the Yaroslavl region is a real fortress with its towers, gates and loopholes. After all, the troubled times in which it was erected were overshadowed by Tatar raids, princely civil strife, and Polish invasions.
The emergence of the monastery
The monastery was founded in the time of Dmitry Donskoy in 1363 by Novgorod monks Fedor and Pavel. The blessing for its construction was given by Sergius of Radonezh himself. A small wooden monastery was built on a hill near the small Ustye River. The blessed princes Boris and Gleb, who were widely revered in Russia at that time, were chosen as patron saints for the future temple. Its territory was surrounded by fortified walls, and church buildings were built inside. New Borisoglebsky Monastery inThe Yaroslavl region quickly gained a good reputation, pilgrims were drawn to it. Vasily II the Dark, the great prince of Moscow, took refuge here, and later baptized his son, the future heir to the Russian throne, Ivan III, here. And the legendary Peresvet took his tonsure within these walls. The brightest page of the monastery is the life of St. Irinarkh. He was born in 1547 in the neighboring village of Kondakovo. Until the age of 30 he lived in the world, bore the name Elijah, and then came to the Rostov Borisoglebsk monastery.
Irinarch the Recluse
In the Borisoglebsky monastery in the Yaroslavl region, he took the tonsure and became known as Irinarch. Here, in fervent prayer, he lit up with a sign to live for God, and after a while he received a blessing for his feat - a voluntary retreat. In a cramped cell, bound with chains and shackles, hung with crosses and taming the flesh with an iron stick, he worked hard for the glory of the Lord. Irinarkh spent 38 years in "imprisonment", continuously praying for salvation. He had the gift of foresight and special fearlessness: he predicted the attack of the Poles on Russia to Tsar Vasily Shuisky, and Sapieha, the Polish hetman, a quick death if he did not get out of the Russian land. To the leaders of the people's militia, Minin and Pozharsky, he sent a blessing for the battle and one of his crosses. The spiritual feat of Irinarkh was appreciated by his contemporaries, his patience "wondered the angels", and his suffering amazed all of Russia. People from everywhere came to him for blessings, healing, miracles. Posthumously, Irinarch the Recluse was canonized and elevated to the rankrevered saints.
Stone construction
After the complete dilapidation of wooden buildings, the Borisoglebsky Monastery in the Yaroslavl region since 1522 begins to “dress” in stone. The reconstruction of the holy monastery was organized by the Rostov architect Grigory Borisov. In the 17th century, large-scale construction took place at the direction of the Metropolitan of Rostov, Ion Sysoevich. All existing buildings were rebuilt and new ones erected. The monastery turned into a powerful fortress that protected the western border of Russia. Its walls are unique: their length is more than 1 km, thickness up to 3 m, height 10-12 m; they are adapted both for the conduct of hostilities and for the holding of religious processions. 14 towers were built along the perimeter. The highest of them is located from the northeast, it reaches a height of 38 m. There are 2 gates in the fence: northern and southern. Over the northern ones in the 16th-17th centuries, the Sretensky gate church was erected, distinguished by its lightness, elegance and beauty. Above the southern ones in 1679, the Sergius Gate Church was built, which received its name in honor of Sergius of Radonezh. The oldest building dates back to 1526 - this is the building of the Borisoglebsky Cathedral. It is here that the holy relics of the Monk Irinarkh, the founding monks Fedor and Paul are buried.
Moscow princes highly valued the Borisoglebsk monastery and revered it as a "home". In the 18th century, the monastery became the center of local settlements, handicrafts actively developed here, magnificent fairs were held. At the end of the century, Catherine II handed overa significant part of the monastery lands to his favorite, Count Orlov. At that time, most of the values of the monastery were stolen and sold. But by the beginning of the 20th century, the monastery gained a stable position, it was revered by both the authorities and pilgrims.
Soviet times
The arrival of Soviet power was marked by a general persecution of the church and religion. Despite the fact that in 1924 the Borisoglebsky Monastery in the Yaroslavl Region was abolished, divine services continued there until 1928. The monastery belfry miraculously escaped destruction, some valuables managed to be transported to the Rostov Kremlin and the Tretyakov Gallery. And yet, most of the sacred relics were irretrievably lost. What “interpretations” the Borisoglebsk monastery has not undergone! Since 1930, a police hostel and a post office, a savings bank and grain warehouses, garages of the regional consumer union and a power station have been located here, and the production of confectionery and sausage products has been established. Since 1970, the monastery has become a branch of the architectural and artistic Rostov Museum-Reserve.
Our days
Borisoglebsky monastery in the Yaroslavl region, according to the description of ancient written sources, has retained its appearance since the end of the 17th century. In 1989, it began to operate as a parish church. Divine services in it were restored in 1990, and in 1994 it was completely revived. Today, the active male monastery shares its territory, temples and buildings with the museum. Since 2015, the monastery has been entirely provided for managementOrthodox Church. The complex includes several monastic buildings, bearing the title of architectural monuments, perfectly preserved, but, unfortunately, being restored very slowly. Hence the numerous reviews of visitors to the territory of the monastery about the atmosphere, some neglect and dilapidation of this holy place.
Amazing find
Architect Alexander Rybnikov is a well-known personality in Borisoglebsky. Since the late 1980s, he has carried out restoration work on the territory of the monastery. And when in the 90s of the last century a group of restorers accidentally fell into an indeterminate cavity, an intra-wall passage was accidentally opened. The entrance to it was covered by an 18th-century ceiling, and when it was opened, a 16th-century vault, which has been perfectly preserved to this day, opened up to everyone's attention. Under it were niches, in which fragments of ancient frescoes were neatly stacked. Rybnikov calls his work both a test of God and a joy, but that case in his practice still delights him to this day.
Excursions around the monastery
The guide of the Borisoglebsky monastery in the Yaroslavl region, Natalia Sheina, won the Best Guide nomination in 2016. A team of professionals has collected the richest materials about the hieromonks of Borisoglebsk, the past and present of the holy monastery. A tour of the territory can be booked at the church shop located at the entrance. Check in advance if temples are included, as they are sometimes closed to tourists.
Bmuseum "Rostov Kremlin", which shares the territory with the monastic brethren, you can see photos of the Borisoglebsky monastery in the Yaroslavl region in different years of its existence, get acquainted with its history, learn about the life of novices. The information is presented in interesting and informative presentations.
Important information: during the procession, access to the territory of the monastery is limited, churches are closed. Treat it with respect.
Services in St. Boris and Gleb Cathedral
The first concern of the brethren was the restoration of the holy spring in the revived monastery. Thanks to the help of the residents of the Borisoglebsk settlement and the Ivanovo village, a well and a bathhouse were built during the summer holidays. The fame of its healing power is widespread, so it is crowded at any time of the year. Then they restored the cell of the great saint Borisoglebsk recluse Irinarch. And in 1997 they made the 1st Irinarhovsky religious procession, which became an annual tradition. The course lasts 5 days and has an official website that contains information about the time and place of events. For more than 10 years a hierodeacon, 3 hieromonks, 2 monks and 3 novices have labored in the monastery. They revived the holy tradition on Sundays, after the Divine Liturgy, of going around the monastery walls in a procession. From Easter to Intercession, the monastery brethren and parishioners, pilgrims and local residents go around the walls. A prayer service with an Akathist is served at the shrine of St. Irinarkh.
The schedule of services at the Borisoglebsky Monastery in the Yaroslavl Region is schematically presented in the table.
| Day of the week | Start of worship | End of worship |
| Weekdays | 7.30 | 19.00 |
| Weekends and holidays | 8.00 | 21.00-21.30 |
Revival of monophonic singing
People come to Rostov the Great to venerate miraculous icons, bow to holy relics, feel the grace-filled power of life-giving springs and the life-giving cross. And recently, it has become possible to enjoy a special church singing called "Big Chant". Its long history begins with the name of the Metropolitan of Rostov, Varlaam Rogov, who in 1587 headed the Rostov See, later renamed the Metropolis.
According to N. P. Parfentiev, Varlaam's cross stichera are distinguished by many lengthy intra-syllable melodic turns. Since the 17th century, partes singing has been spreading in Rostov, and then throughout Russia. Until the beginning of the 20th century, church singing practice was a very diverse picture, both in terms of repertoire and the power of performance.
In the post-revolutionary period, when most churches and monasteries were abolished, simple everyday singing began to be practiced. Since the 1990s, thanks to the efforts of B. P. Kutuzov, Znamenny singing is revived during divine services. In the summer of 1997, a new monk appeared in the holy monastery, a student of Kutuzov, the future father of the Borisoglebsky Monastery in the Yaroslavl Region, Sergiy Shvydkov.
His efforts gradually restored the “monophony”, which he speaks of as a casket with precious stones, when the songs, endowed with their own color, add up to a palette, a colored mosaic. Some services in the monastery are entirely performed in the technique of "Big chant". Hieromonk Sergius, together with the followers of V. P. Kutuzov lead concerts, popularizing the famous chant. For this, a choir was organized, a school for boys and men. I would like to quote a few phrases of hieromonk, regular clergyman Sergius about chant, which most clearly characterize his attitude to monophony: “… mood … tranquility of life … inner peace … there is no limit to neither sadness nor joy … exultation … spiritual joy … prayerful unification of people … ". The Rostov Borisoglebsky Monastery in the Yaroslavl Region, Father Sergiy Shvydkov and the famous chant are an indivisible phenomenon of spiritual life.
A walk outside the monastery walls
The walls of the Borisoglebsky Monastery hide the most beautiful monuments of ancient Russian architecture. But even beyond them, in the village of the same name, there are interesting noteworthy places, or rather, monuments:
- In 2005, a monument to Prince Dmitry Pozharsky was erected, sculptor Mikhail Pereyaslavets. The height of the bronze bust, mounted on a marble pedestal, is more than 4 m. Back in 1612, Pozharsky came for a blessing to Irinarkh to lead the people's militia.
- Then, in 2005, Zurab Tsereteli installed a sculpture to the monk of the Borisoglebsky monastery, the hero Alexander Peresvet. Heightbronze warrior 3 m. His mortal duel with Chelubey strengthened the Russian spirit before the Battle of Kulikovo.
- In 2006, another monument to Tsereteli was unveiled. At his own expense, the sculptor made a 3-meter bronze statue of Irinarkh the Recluse and presented it to the Borisoglebsk village.
- In 2007, the only Russian monument to “Boyarin. Prince. Voevoda" Mikhail Skopnik-Shuisky. The composition of Vladimir Surovtsev depicts a commander who has not lost a single battle, riding a horse. Before all campaigns, he received a blessing from Irinarch.
Modern life of the monastic brethren
Monks living in the Borisoglebsky Monastery in the Yaroslavl Region carry out daily obediences in the refectory and in the boiler room, kindle stoves, take care of the garden and garden on their territory. The monks also have their own apiary. The monastery takes an active part in the "Pogost" program, restoring and beautifying regional cemeteries, supports the military-patriotic club for children and youth "Svyatogor" and the spiritual and moral club "Slavs" for preschoolers, publishes the newspaper "Monastyrsky Frontier".
Borisoglebsky Monastery in the Yaroslavl region, how to get there
Address of the Borisoglebsky Monastery: Yaroslavl region, Borisoglebsky district, Borisoglebsky village, pl. Soviet, 10.
The M-8 federal highway leads to Rostov the Great. To get to the monastery, you need to get from Rostov to the village of Borisoglebsky. You can do this with severalways:
- on the actual transport along the Rostov-Uglich highway;
- by a regular bus departing from the bus station or the railway station of Rostov in the direction of Borisoglebsky.
Miracles or the grace of God
Locals are still confident in the holiness of this amazing place. They say that Saint Irinarchus, with his prayers, drove out all reptiles 7 versts from the monastery, and snakes were never seen here. Another story tells about the mysterious disappearance of the worship cross and the holy spring at the beginning of the revolution. And when a team of restorers in the 1990s carried out a unique work here to straighten out an almost destroyed wall, it not only came off in the right places exactly at the seams, but also independently returned to its place at great speed. Whether this is a miracle is anyone's guess. But the fact that the Borisoglebsk heart beats right here, within the walls of his monastery, remains a completely obvious fact.
