The Holy Trinity Monastery in Ryazan is located in the western part of the city, at the point where the Pavlovka River flows into the Trubezh (one of the tributaries of the Oka). In the old days, for this reason, it was also called Troitsko-Ust-Pavlovsky. This article will tell about this monastery, its history, features and schedule of services at the Trinity Monastery in Ryazan.
Founding History
The exact date of foundation of the Trinity Monastery in Ryazan is unknown. Some historians say that it was founded in 1208, others say about the middle or the end of the XIV century. Most are inclined to believe that the monastery was founded in 1351, when Oleg Ivanovich ruled the Ryazan principality. To defend the capital city from constant raids, he created a whole network of monasteries-fortresses around Ryazan.
As evidenced by the chronicles, Prince Dmitry Donskoy did not want to fight with Prince Oleg of Ryazan. Having gone to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in 1385, he begged the rector, St. SergiusRadonezhsky, talk with the Ryazan prince. After the latter's conversation with the holy elder, Oleg made peace with Dmitry Donskoy and invited him to his principality. However, before coming to visit, Dmitry Donskoy stopped for the night at the Trinity Monastery in Ryazan. Therefore, it can be argued that the monastery already existed at the end of the 14th century.
Monastery in the 17th-18th centuries
These lands in the period from the XIV to the XVI century were constantly subjected to invasions of the Tatar-Mongols. Therefore, the fortresses with the monastic archives contained in them have not been preserved, as well as documents with records relating to them. Subsequent references to the monastery are found only from the end of the 16th century in the Scribal Books.
In 1697, a cathedral church was built in the Trinity Monastery in Ryazan, as well as a bell tower. It was located in the northern part of the monastery, on the side where the Pavlovka River flows. The fence and towers of the monastery were built of brick at the same time as the church with the bell tower.
The total length of the fence was 436 m. Its roof was made of iron and painted with verdigris. Initially, there were four towers, but in 1826 a fifth was built, on the southeast side. Each of them has a diameter of 3 m and a height of 3.5 m (to the eaves). The vaults of the towers are crowned with a dome with a sharp spire. In the courtyard of the monastery there was a cemetery where members of noble families (princes and boyars) were buried.
Description of the monastery in the 18th-19th centuries
From the autumn of 1749 to 1753, the Arithmetic School was established in the monastery. There were several classes in it:
- grammatical;
- rhetorical;
- syntactic;
- piitic;
- faric;
- infimic (infima and fara are the initial, basic stages of learning Latin).
In 1795, a hospital was opened in the Trinity Monastery in Ryazan. And six years later, the abbot's cell was rebuilt and a new stone foundation was made. In 1810, it was decided to replace the main gate, which was located under the bell tower. This decision was due to the fact that during the flood water came right up to the gate and made it difficult to move. On the northern side of the fence, new passage gates were erected, which were crowned with the image of Sergius of Radonezh blessing the monks.
The Abode in the 19th century
In 1826, a new carved iconostasis was installed in the church of the Trinity Monastery in Ryazan. After its installation inside the temple and the dome was decorated with paintings. A carriage house, a granary, a glacier, a stable and a hay barn were built next to the fifth tower, located in the southeast.
In 1830, in order to avoid the collapse of the bell tower, it was decided to build a number of buttresses along the western wall. A year later, on the eastern side outside the temple, an image of the Holy Trinity was created, and on the sides of it, in false windows (niches), they depicted St. Sergius of Radonezh and St. John the Baptist.
In 1833, the gate chapel, which was located on the north side, was plastered and whitewashed. A small iconostasis and three icons were installed inside. In 1845, a new iconostasis was installed in the Sergius Church, as well asnew icons in one of its tiers.
Second half of the 19th century
In 1855, the wooden building of the cells of the abbots, located near the bell tower, was dismantled. A new two-story stone building with a hipped iron roof was erected on this site.
In 1858, a two-story stone chapel was built next to the south gate, with an entrance below. Seven years later, a new three-tier iconostasis was installed in the main Trinity Church, covered with gilding, with new icons.
In 1870, a two-story building for the treasury was added to the inner facade of the rector's building. 10 years later, instead of wall paintings, paintings on canvas on the Bible theme were placed in the Trinity Church.
In 1884, on the south side of the monastery, a parochial church school was opened for orphans (boys), who were prepared to enter seminaries (theological schools). It is known that about 50 people studied at this school at a time.
Monastery in the 20th century
In 1902, next to the holy gates of the monastery, a wooden hotel for pilgrims was erected. The building was sheathed with boards and covered with iron. Outbuildings for livestock, poultry and other needs were erected in the back of the hotel.
In the period from 1903 to 1904, the premises of the parish school were significantly expanded in height and length. Near the school building there was a holy well, from which the monks and pilgrims took water.
In 1903 a new building was built fromstone for the monks, which was located south of the rector's building.
In 1914, a diocesan infirmary was opened in the rector's building, which was created specifically for wounded soldiers who participated in World War I. The infirmary housed 30 beds, and the kitchen for him was in the fraternal building.
In 1919, the Trinity Monastery in Ryazan was deprived of its status. However, in the same year, a monastic brotherhood was created. Services in churches continued, while other buildings of the monastery were used as a hostel for employees of the Ural Railway.
Abode in the Soviet period
In 1923, the State Contract was revoked from the community, allowing the church to be used for its intended purpose. The temple was classified as an architectural monument. In 1931, some of the monastery buildings were used as canteens for railway workers.
In 1941, the temple building was used as a locksmiths' school. In the 1950s, workshops for the production of automotive equipment were created here.
Monastery at present
In early 1996, the Trinity Church began its work after a new consecration. After some time, all the surviving buildings were returned to the possession of the monks. From this period begins the revival of the monastery. Gradually, repair, construction and restoration work is being carried out. During the restoration of the Sergius Church, wall paintings dating back to the middle of the 19th century were discovered.
After all the work done, in 2000 the Trinity Cathedral was consecrated. The church is currentlycurrent.
Trinity Monastery in Ryazan: service schedule
The monastery is located at the address: Ryazan, Moscow highway, 10. Services are held daily in the churches of the Trinity Monastery. They start at 8.30, but on great and revered holidays they hold an early liturgy, which begins at 6-00. In the St. Sergius Church, the evening service is held at 16.30, and the late service is at 21.00.
In the Trinity Monastery in Ryazan, the schedule of services changes during the great Orthodox holidays. You can find out about all changes in advance. Arriving in Ryazan, you should definitely visit this unique place, which has a long and interesting history. This abode gives extraordinary grace and peace. Having been here, a person changes his attitude to many things and looks at the world differently.
