Free time should be spent for the benefit of the soul and body. Tourism is one of the best options for recreation and at the same time gaining new experiences and knowledge. If you are a resident of Moscow or the Moscow region, then you are not limited in your choice of attractions. The capital of Russia is a whole panorama of parks, squares, museums and, of course, churches and monasteries. Since ancient times, the Mother See has been famous for its Orthodox pearls, for which it received the title of “golden-domed”. The endless number of holy places in the capital makes pilgrims from all over the country come here and admire the unprecedented beauty and rich history of churches and Orthodox complexes. One of such Christian centers of the capital is the Novospassky Monastery. In Moscow, it is considered one of the most visited places by pilgrims.
Why is the monastery called stauropegial?
This name is given to Orthodox complexes in which the cross in the altar is erected by the Patriarch himself. Such monasteries are under the tutelage of the canonical administration or supervision of the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church. The patriarch appoints governors - archimandrite orabbess. Such monasteries have certain privileges. For example, the possibility of self-government and independence. On the territory of Russia, out of more than 600 Orthodox complexes, only 25 objects were awarded the title of stauropegial. Therefore, the Novospassky Monastery in Moscow has a special status.
The history of the creation of the monastery
This Orthodox center was founded by the Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow as much as 8 centuries ago. Then the monastery was located at the Serpukhov outpost. Then the descendants of the prince transferred the sacred place to the Kremlin, and later to the Krutitsky Hill, where it remains to this day. After acquiring its final resting place, the monastery received a popular name - Spas on a new (place), which became stronger as its official name.
During the reign of the Romanov dynasty, the Novospassky Monastery became the second largest after the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin. The royal family founded a family necropolis in the Savior on the New.
During the years of the revolution, all places of worship were closed, including the Novospassky Monastery in Moscow. The royal tomb was destroyed, in its place the Soviet authorities founded a prison for women. Later, a restoration center was placed in the monastery, and then a furniture factory.
The Novospassky Monastery was revived only towards the end of the 20th century. It was from that moment that monastic life and daily liturgy began in him.
What is on the territory of the Orthodoxcomplex?
The Novospassky Monastery in Moscow is a vast territory with as many as 19 objects, including 6 cathedrals dating back to the 17th century, a bell tower, several towers and chapels, a fraternal building, and a master's yard. Each of these buildings has its own special, unique history. The Novospassky Monastery in Moscow keeps many secrets. The shrines that the Orthodox complex is famous for attract thousands of pilgrims. This is the icon of the "All-Tsaritsa", revered by believers as an image that heals from serious ailments, and the Savior Not Made by Hands (19th century). Pilgrims can also venerate the holy relics.
Monastery opening hours and address
In the main temple, liturgies are held daily at 8 am, Vespers is served at 5 pm. On Sundays and holidays, the church has the following schedule: Liturgy at 7 and 9 o'clock, and All-Night Vigil at 5 o'clock in the evening. On all days, except for the period of Great Lent, a prayer service is served in the temple in front of the icon of the “All-Tsaritsa”.
There are 2 ways to get to the monastery: through the Proletarskaya metro station or the Marxistskaya station. In the first case, you will need to walk 500 meters to the complex itself. You will have to drive about a kilometer from the Marxist station.
Virtual tour
Knowing a simple address, Novospassky Monastery in Moscow is not difficult to find. So, the location of the Orthodox complex is Krestyanskaya Square, 10. From the Proletarskaya station, you need to go towards the Moscow River. Crossing the road through the underground passage, you will find yourself at the majestic walls of the monastery. Its entrance is crowned with the icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands and a set of rules of conduct established on the territory of the facility.
Stepping into the white vault, visitors find themselves in the reverent atmosphere of the monastery, filled with mystery and a sense of sacredness. It is best to start the tour from the bell tower, once built on the initiative of Patriarch Filaret. In terms of its height (about 80 m), it is comparable only to the Ivan the Great Bell Tower (81 m). Once at the very top of the structure, look around - a wonderful, breathtaking panorama opens before you. After enjoying the beauty of the surrounding world from a bird's eye view, you can go to the Transfiguration Cathedral.
Monastery center
The Transfiguration Cathedral is the main temple of this Orthodox complex. It is here that pilgrims can pray to the icon "The Tsaritsa" for the bestowal of he alth on their relatives and friends who have cancer. The sacred image of the All-Tsaritsa is adorned with numerous gifts of those people who were healed thanks to the mercy of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. This is how the Russian people thank the Almighty forces for the perfect miracle. The image of the Mother of God, as an invaluable asset of the temple, is located at the very entrance.
Miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin
The Novospassky Monastery in Moscow keeps many shrines within its walls. "The Tsaritsa" is one of his main values. Once painted by a monk on Mount Athos, the icon became a healing image of the monastery at the end of the 20th century. Prayers are performed daily before the Mother of God."Vsetsaritsa" is often transported to the National Medical Research Center of Oncology. N. N. Blokhin on Kashirskoye highway to give spiritual strength to people with malignant tumors.
Sanctuaries of the Transfiguration Cathedral
The temple is also famous for ancient images on the walls dating back to the 17th century. Among them is a fresco dedicated to the genealogical tree of the royal dynasty. No less interesting and controversial is the image of 10 ancient Greek scientists depicted at the entrance. The allegory of this fresco is that no matter how valuable pagan wisdom is, the Christian heritage will always be many steps higher.
In the center of the temple there is a seven-tiered iconostasis with images of saints, the Mother of God and Christ the Savior. And, like in any other church, in the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior there are many images of saints-martyrs, righteous, saints and prophets (for example, a fresco of John the Baptist). All this is really worth it to visit the Novospassky Monastery in Moscow. Photography and video filming is allowed on site.
Viewing the complex
On the territory of the monastery there is also a copy of the cross, which is located on the territory of the Kremlin. This cultural monument was dedicated to Sergei Alexandrovich Romanov, the prince and governor of Moscow in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He died from a bomb blast thrown by one of the SR terrorists. Romanov's wife, Elizaveta Feodorovna, having a deep faith in God and the power of confession, came to prison to the murdererand urged him to repent of his deed. In exchange for this, the princess gave her word to intercede for his pardon and forgiveness. But the criminal, due to his radical beliefs, did not do this, and was executed.
The Novospassky Monastery in Moscow has such an atmosphere of sacredness and a special microclimate that apricot trees bear fruit on its territory. It seems that all God's mercy descended on the Orthodox complex, in the garden of which flowers and plants of amazing beauty grow.
Temples of the monastery
The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God is located in the closed space of the monastery, which is why visitors do not immediately notice this church from the central square of the Orthodox complex. It adjoins the northeast side to the Transfiguration Cathedral. The Church of the Intercession of the Virgin consists of three aisles, the central of which was erected in honor of the holiday of the same name. The right side of the church (chapel) is dedicated to the Great Martyr Barbara, and the left side is dedicated to St. Dmitry, Metropolitan of Rostov.
The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God has many Orthodox values, such as relics, frescoes, icons. The Novospassky Monastery in Moscow also includes such cathedrals as the Temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh, the Icon of the Mother of God "The Sign", St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
The complex is definitely worth a visit - both for deep believers and for those who are just opening the first page of Orthodoxy in their lives.
