Sretensky Monastery is located in the very heart of Moscow. Its gates are open to all Orthodox Christians. Everyone can go to the Sretensky Monastery, its address is easy to remember: it is located on Bolshaya Lubyanka, number 19с1.
History of the monastery
The monastery appeared in 1397 thanks to curious historical events accompanied by divine patronage. At that time, Moscow miraculously escaped from the invincible army of Tamerlane. This event took place in 1395. As the chronicles say, Khan Timur with the Tatar horde moved across Russia, sweeping away everything in its path. Moscow was ahead. Anticipating a considerable misfortune, the great prince Vasily and Metropolitan Cyprian ordered the miraculous icon of the Mother of God (Vladimir) to be delivered from Vladimir to Moscow. All ten days that the icon was on the way, it was accompanied by tearful prayers of the Russian people, who knelt along the road. The image of the Vladimir Mother of God was met in Moscow on August 26.
While the Orthodox met the icon, Khan Tamerlane rested in his rich tent. Appeared to him in a dreama certain woman, who was surrounded by an innumerable angelic army, menacingly looking at him. As soon as the khan woke up, he gathered his elders and ordered them to interpret his vision. They, in turn, made it clear that the Mother of God of Christians came to him - the intercessor of the Russian people with her irresistible power. Khan was horrified by this interpretation. He immediately turned his army back before reaching Moscow.
Muscovites, in memory of this miracle, erected a church on the site of the meeting of the Vladimir Icon. Later, the Sretensky Monastery was erected here.
Centuries-old existence
In Moscow in those days there were many church cloisters. Sretensky monastery was not among the most popular. He was not famous for the spiritual loud deeds of the inhabitants, the decoration of the monastery was very modest. The life of the monks proceeded peacefully, quietly, measuredly. The monastery, however, often participated in the social events of the time. The monastery played an important role in overcoming the Troubles that occurred in the capital in 1611-1613. The formation of the royal dynasty took place with the support of the monastery. Due to its location, the monastery witnessed the S alt Riots of 1648, which began at the local walls. Joyful events are also found in the annals. In 1552, it was here that Muscovites met the troops that brought victory from Kazan, the monastery became a witness to that event.
Moscow Sretensky Monastery in the Romanov era
The first of the Romanov dynasty highly favored the Sretensky Monastery. Tsar Fedor Alekseevich paid special attention to him. It didn't last longreign, but during this time the monastery flourished. At this time, the cathedral was built, glorifying the Presentation of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, to this day it was he who survived from all the others. In those years, Sretensky Monastery received valuable contributions, royal services also took place here.
In the 18th century, the monastery began to fall into decay. Its buildings were damaged in a fire in 1737. The Sretensky Monastery had not yet had time to recover from such grave events, when in 1737 Catherine II issued such a decree, which spoke of the secularization of lands belonging to the church. The abode has become out of place. The Sretensky Monastery could leave only fourteen monks.
Only by the end of the century the monastery began to gradually recover, some buildings began to be erected.
The Abode during the Patriotic War of 1812
The war in 1812 greatly affected the state of the Sretensky Monastery. An interesting fact is that the Battle of Borodino took place on the day when the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was celebrated. Muscovites saw this as a good sign. Further events - the retreat of the Russian army for Moscow, the capture of the ancient capital by the French to some extent shook the hopes of the inhabitants, but subsequent events of the war strengthened faith in Orthodoxy. The Sretensky Monastery was not damaged during the fire of 1812. French soldiers "touched" the monastery, they plundered many valuables belonging to the church. It is worth noting that the monks of the Sretensky Monastery steadfastly guarded the shrines and did not stop worshipeven during the war. Then, for a hundred years, the monastery was in relative peace.
The advent of Soviet power
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Sretensky Monastery was completely landscaped, although it had a modest size. In 1907 there were fourteen novices, four hierodeacons, and six hieromonks in the monastery. In the very near future, the Sretensky Monastery was to endure severe trials.
The Soviet authorities immediately began to establish their own rules, immediately took up the ministers of the churches. The decree of 1918, issued by the Council of People's Commissars, stated that the Church was separated from the state and at the same time lost the status of a legal entity. All property belonging to the Church began to belong to the people. All buildings intended for worship began to be withdrawn for the benefit of society, this included both outbuildings and all cell buildings. The Sretensky Monastery did not escape this fate. In 1922 it was captured by the renovationists. At the same time, state authorities confiscated all church utensils of any value from the monastery: liturgical vessels, altar crosses, icon frames, precious-bound books.
The sad fate of the monastery
To expand the traffic, many buildings of the monastery were destroyed in 1927-30. This number included the temple of Mary of Egypt, which was considered the oldest in Moscow. The remaining monastic utensils were distributed among various cultural institutions and museums. The ancient icon "Ex altation of the Cross" was transferred to the Anti-Religious Museum, then it ended up inTretyakov Gallery, where it is still kept.
The hostel of the NKVD was placed in the monastery buildings that survived the destruction. During the years of terror, many people were shot on the territory of the former monastery. In unmarked graves, here, they were buried. In 1995, a worship cross was erected in Sretensky Monastery in memory of those martyred in this place, and His Holiness Patriarch Alexy consecrated it.
In the only surviving temple in 1958-1962, after its restoration, the Scientific and Restoration Center settled.
Revival of the monastery
At the end of the 20th century, when church traditions finally began to revive in Russia, the Cathedral of the Presentation of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was transferred to the Church, it happened in 1991. In 1994, with the blessing of His Holiness the Patriarch, monastic life began to revive on the territory of the Sretensky Monastery. The first inhabitants had to do hard work to revive the monastery.
In 2008, a plan was developed, according to which the monuments that once existed on the territory of the monastery should be reconstructed, new churches and office buildings should be erected. The plan provides for the construction of a gate church with a baptistery, an Orthodox youth center, and a conference hall. Neighboring buildings, given to the monastery, are being equipped as cell buildings, an infirmary and a refectory. From the side of Bolshaya Lubyanka, areas for educational seminaries and housing for seminarians are expanding.
Monkscherish, protect the Sretensky Monastery. Its address is known to many parishioners, and everyone can visit it, admire the beauty of the revived temple, bow to the holy icon.
Life in a monastery
Certainly, for monks the main act is prayer. Liturgy is served daily (early, late, midnight). Any local novice, monk is proud that Sretensky Monastery is the place of their monastery. Service to God is the main meaning of life here. Everyone has a special obedience here, everyone has their own business: someone works in the garden, someone in the publishing house, others do chores. If we compare the condition of the monastery in the 1990s and now, we can see how much incredible work and effort is put into the improvement of the monastery. Seminarians also participate in the life of the monastery, carry out obediences, and attend divine services.
Male Choir of Sretensky Monastery
The male choir in the monastery has existed for many centuries, from the very date of foundation (1397). The break in activity came only during the years of persecution during the period of Soviet rule. More recently, the choir began to acquire modern features. In 2005, the choir of the Sretensky Monastery was headed by the regent, whose name is Nikon Stepanovich Zhila. He is a graduate of the Gnesinka, since childhood he sang in the church choir of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
The basis of the choir is the seminarians of the Sretensky Seminary, as well as graduates of the Theological Academy of Moscow. An important part of the composition are the vocalists of the Moscow Conservatory, the Moscow Academy of Choralart, the Gnessin Academy. The choir includes thirty people, it includes first-class soloists, has its own arrangers and composers.
The Sretensky Choir conducts regular services at the monastery. At important solemn services, he sings in the Moscow Kremlin. Members of the choir often travel on missionary tours under the auspices of the Russian Orthodox Church. The repertoire includes not only spiritual music, romances, wartime songs, folk Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian songs are performed. The choir performs all compositions only in the original arrangement a cappela.
Pacification of the monastery
The Sretensky Monastery is modestly located in the very heart of Moscow, behind snow-white walls, on which tiles are laid out. The doors of the monastery are open to all those who crave peace and tranquility. People go to this place not only during the service, many come just in the midst of a busy day. Having kissed the holy Vladimir icon or the relics of St. Hilarion, for some time you forget about worldly turmoil. An interesting fact: although Bolshaya Lubyanka is constantly buzzing outside the walls, complete silence and peace remain on the territory of the monastery (or maybe it seems so to visitors). The life of the monks here is not easy, they are obedient all day long, but their deeds always remain humble, unfussy, and useful.
