St. Danilov Monastery in Moscow is considered one of the oldest monasteries located on the Moscow River. It is a unique example of beautiful Russian architecture. The complex of monastic buildings includes several churches, rectors' chambers, a fraternal building, the patriarchal residence and the DECR building.
Today, the monastery is both the spiritual and administrative center of Orthodox Russia - it has several farmsteads located in Ryazan, Moscow and the Moscow region.
History of the Danilovsky Monastery
In 1282, according to the order of the holy prince, the faithful Daniel of Moscow, the male St. Danilov Monastery was founded. But the monastery did not last long - according to legend, after a few years it was transferred to the Kremlin and renamed the Spassky Monastery. There is another version: before his death, Saint Prince Daniel became a monk and was buried in his monastery in 1303.
According to the Book of Degrees, as a historical and literary source, in the 15th century there was a church on the site of the monastery, consecrated in honor of Daniel the Stylite, the heavenly patron saintBlessed Prince Daniel of Moscow. Monastic life returned to this place only under Ivan the Terrible, in 1560. There is an assumption that the Danilov Monastery in Moscow was erected on the site of an old necropolis.
In 1561, the monastery's stone church was consecrated in honor of the holy fathers of the seven Ecumenical Councils.
Danilov Monastery in Moscow was partially destroyed in 1610, associated with an arson organized by False Dmitry II. At the beginning of the 17th century, a stone wall with towers was erected around the monastery. Information has been preserved that in 1710 the monastic brethren numbered 30 monks.
Danilov Monastery in Moscow: the period of Soviet power
Despite the fact that in 1918 the monastery was actually closed, monastic life continued until 1930. In the 1920s, many bishops, appointed by Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow, stayed in the walls of the holy monastery, but were not admitted to diocesan administration due to obstacles from the secular authorities.
In 1929, an official decision was made to close the monastery, and an NKVD reception-distributor was equipped within its walls. Soon the bell tower was mercilessly dismantled, but, fortunately, the bells were saved from being melted down (thanks to the efforts of Charles Crane, an American diplomat and industrialist). Until 2007, they were within the walls of Harvard University, after which they were again returned to their homeland. When the holy monastery was closed, part of the monastic manuscripts stored in the library were transferred to the Moscow archives (currentlytime they are in RGADA).
Since 1930, the monastery housed an isolation ward for the children of political criminals and the repressed. The authorities of the USSR ordered all children left without parents as a result of repressions to be taken to an orphanage. The conditions in which the orphans lived were inhuman: due to the lack of proper nutrition and care, many fell ill and died, they were buried here - in the former monastery cemetery.
After 1930, the relics of St. Daniel of Moscow were transferred outside the walls of the monastery, to the Church of the Resurrection of the Word. Together with the closing of this temple in 1929, the last information about the further movement of the holy relics disappears, and their whereabouts remain unknown to this day.
Revival of the holy monastery
In 1983, by decree of the USSR government, it was decided to return St. Danilov Monastery to church possession. In addition, it was also allowed to start the construction of new facilities required for official use.
After the monastery returned to its native church harbor, Archimandrite Evlogii (Smirnov) became its first abbot. The monastery began to revive and was gradually restored with funds coming both from Moscow church parishes and from all the dioceses of the Patriarchate.
A special commission responsible for the restoration and restoration of the monastery was organized and appointed at a meeting of the Holy Synod. The restoration work was headed by the architect I. I. Makovetsky.
Monastic servicesbegan to be celebrated again from Great Lent in 1984. In 1985, the first consecration of the throne of the lower Intercession Church was made. In the same year, the DECR moved to the new fraternal restored building.
In honor of the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, solemn festive events were held in the monastery walls. On the Sunday of All Saints, a festive liturgy was served, co-served by several patriarchs (Antioch, Jerusalem, Moscow, Georgian, Romanian, Bulgarian patriarchs and many bishops participated in the service).
In March 2007, an agreement was reached to return the bell ensemble of the Danilov Belfry to Moscow, thanks to the diligence of businessman Viktor Vekselberg, who assumed all the costs of the project.
Temples of Danilov Monastery
The modern complex of buildings located on the territory of the monastery took shape in the period of the 18th-19th centuries. At the end of the 20th century, additional buildings were erected here, necessary for the functioning of the DECR.
Among other attractions, the Danilov Monastery in Moscow occupies a special place. Photos of temples, chapels and architectural buildings of the monastery eloquently speak of the beauty of this place.
Temple of the Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils
In 1730, the former stone church of the Holy Fathers of the Ecumenical Councils was dismantled, and soon rebuilt on the vaults of the former Intercession Church, which became the lower basement floor of the new cathedral. It is considered central among other buildings of such an architecturalcomplex, like the Danilov Monastery. The Intercession Church, presumably built in the 70s of the 17th century, is the oldest architectural building that has survived to this day. There is a chapel in honor of the holy prophet Daniel.
In 1806, two chapels were consecrated in the upper church. Since the 18th century, the church of St. Daniel the Stylite, who is the protector and patron of the holy monastery, has been located in the third tier of the cathedral.
Gate Church
In addition to the above churches, the complex of architectural structures of the monastery includes the Gate Church dedicated to St. Simeon the Stylite, built in 1731.
Trinity Cathedral
In 1833-1838, according to the project of the architect O. I. Bove, the Trinity Cathedral was built, decorated in the style of Russian classicism. The building has a cubic shape, its facade is decorated with Tuscan porticos. The cathedral has two chapels dedicated to the feast of the conception of Righteous Anna and St. Alexis, the man of God. The consecration of the Orthodox church took place on September 13, 1838, it was performed by Metropolitan Filaret of Moscow.
Modern chapels
In honor of the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, the Memorial and Nadkladeznaya chapels were built, designed by architect Yu. G. Alonov. Modern buildings fit perfectly into the architectural composition of the monastery buildings.
Danilov necropolis
In the 19th century, the monastery cemetery became the burial place of prominent Russian figures. There is an assumption that thisthe first Moscow monastery necropolis. According to archaeological research, it can be argued that burials at this place were made before the restoration of the monastery by John IV, back in the 15th century. Stone tombstones of the 15th-16th centuries with inscriptions in German and Latin were discovered during excavations in 1869-1870, which indicates the burials here of either foreign subjects or local Kukui Germans.
After the 17th century, the deceased monks and abbots of the monastery, among whom were prominent church figures, were buried at the monastery cemetery. High-ranking officials and representatives of the nobility, aristocracy, patrons of the arts were also buried here. But the graves of such famous figures as N. V. Gogol, A. S. Khomyakova, Yu. F. Samarin, Prince V. A. Cherkassky, A. I. Koshelev, Yu. I. Venelin and others.
In 1931, the monastery necropolis was destroyed, and the remains of N. V. Gogol, D. A. Valuev, the Khomyakov spouses and N. M. Yazykov were transferred to the Novodevichy cemetery of the capital.
After the return of the St. Danilov Monastery to the church possession, a new building was rebuilt on the site of the necropolis - the patriarchal residence.
Male choir of St. Danilov Monastery
In 1994, the male celebratory concert choir of the Danilov Monastery was organized. It consists of highly professional musicians, vocalists - certified graduates of higher musical and choral educational institutions in the capital. Artistic director and choir directorGeorgy Safonov.
On Sundays and holidays, the choir of the Danilov Monastery participates in solemn patriarchal services. In addition to purely church activities, the team takes part in many educational concerts both in Russia and abroad.
The choir's repertoire includes the most complex church author's hymns dedicated to various Christian holidays from the annual and weekly liturgical cycle. In addition to church works, the group performs a variety of chants, carols, Russian folk and military-patriotic songs, hymns, w altzes and romances. He regularly produces studio recordings and has released several CDs of various works.
Conclusion
Moscow Danilov Monastery is one of the most famous sights of the capital. Many Orthodox pilgrims tend to come here to venerate the holy relics and pray. Guests are always welcome here - a hotel is offered for visitors.
If you are going to visit the Danilov Monastery in Moscow, it would not hurt to know his address: Moscow, st. Danilovsky Val, 22.
