Russian Orthodoxy: Resurrection Monastery (Torzhok)

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

In the centuries-old history of Russia, monasteries arose simultaneously with the acquisition of Christianity. Translated from Greek, “monastery” means “secluded place.”

Communities of monks (monks) lived in monasteries according to a strict charter, in unceasing prayer.

Those who wanted to give themselves to God, left worldly life in order to achieve spiritual purity, retired here.

Rise of monasteries

As a rule, monasteries were built far from people, in impenetrable forests, near unknown lakes and rivers.

But the fame of the piety of the monastic inhabitants helping the wanderers and the infirm was widely spread, so that over time settlements arose around the monastery, growing into large cities.

Communities were replenished with novices, additions to existing buildings were made on the lands of monasteries, chapels, new churches and bell towers were erected.

Over time, the monasteries formed entire architectural complexes of extraordinary beauty, born in a combination of different styles.

Historic Torzhok

So it arose in due time onexpanses of ancient Russia, the city of Torzhok. The largest architectural complexes in it are the men's Borisoglebsky and the women's Resurrection Monastery. Torzhok today is a district town of the Tver region of Russia.

Torzhok is located along the Tvertsa River, 60 km from the regional center, near the Moscow-St. Petersburg highway.

In the past it was called Novotorzhsk. Since that time, the townspeople are still called Novotors, many places and buildings in the city are called Novotorzhsky. Since 1917, the city has finally turned into a province.

For the first time, the Resurrection Monastery in Torzhok was mentioned at the beginning of the 17th century, and it was founded a century earlier.

Nun Martha (in the world Xenia Ivanovna), mother of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, donated an icon of the Resurrection of Christ in a silver robe to this monastery.

And along with the icon, two goblets made of coconut in silver. Later, these goblets were converted into lamps.

Monastery

Until our time, in spite of everything, the Resurrection Monastery has been well preserved. Torzhok, like most ancient cities, was built of wood. And the first buildings of the monastery were also wooden.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the building of the Resurrection Cathedral and the chapel of the Savior Not Made by Hands were built of stone, by the end of the century they surrounded the territory of the monastery with a stone wall.

Some of the buildings were updated later, so their architecture is different. The Resurrection Cathedral was built in the classical style, and the bell tower has remained baroque architecture.

Exact construction dates andrearrangements in different sources vary.

The cathedral had two floors: on the first, the Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, and on the second - the Resurrection of Christ.

Later, in the 19th century, cells were built (housing for nuns and abbesses), a refectory and the Church of the Beheading of John the Baptist.

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ is the leading building. From him the Resurrection Monastery got its name. Torzhok today is a very small town, about 50 thousand people, but there are many churches in it.

Monastery today

It is not difficult for pilgrims and ordinary tourists interested in the history of Russia to find the Resurrection Monastery in Torzhok. Its address is listed in Orthodox reference books, although the monastery is not active.

He stands on the high left bank of the Tvertsa River, on the street called Red Town, house 22, next to the automobile and pedestrian bridges, in the historical center of the city.

On the contrary, on the right bank, the male Borisoglebsky Monastery, a little upstream. According to legend, under the river there is an underground passage to the right bank.

In the 20s of the last century, the complex was closed. And the Resurrection Monastery in Torzhok still does not function. A photo of the buildings conveys a sad picture of its current state.

Before the revolution, the monastery had an orphanage and a school for girls from poor families. The monastic novices were engaged in icon painting, lace weaving, embroidery, preparing a dowry forrich brides.

It is believed that it was the Resurrection Monastery that gave a start to life to the famous craftsmanship, which is called Novotorzhskoe gold embroidery.

Torzhok not so long ago received the status of a city-museum of federal significance, as many architectural monuments of past centuries have been preserved in it.

And although the monastery is in disrepair, its buildings are destroyed without repair and nothing remains of the former well-being, the complex is very beautiful.