The Resurrection New Jerusalem Monastery has a rich history, which is closely connected with the memory of its founding father, Patriarch Nikon. His Holiness loved this monastery very much and lived here for about eight years after he was removed from Moscow. The monk directed all his efforts to realize his own plan: a monastery was to be created in the Moscow region, which would become an exact copy of the famous Church of the Resurrection of the Lord, located in Jerusalem. In the cathedral, the sacred likenesses of the cave of the Holy Sepulcher, Mount Golgotha, the burial place and the Resurrection of Christ were completely reproduced. The patriarch wanted the Orthodox people to contemplate the monastery as a place of holy passions.
Features of the territory
According to the plan of the architects, the topography, topography, buildings of the monastery itself and the surrounding territory, which stretches for several tens of kilometers, were supposed to recreate the image of the Holy Land and the main Christian shrines of Palestine. In the center of the enclosed space, a monastery was founded - a city-temple. towersthe cloisters acquired symbolic names - Gethsemane, Entrance Jerusalem. A fast and meandering river flows through Russian Palestine. It complements and decorates the area surrounding the New Jerusalem Monastery. Istra is not the only water body on the territory. The Kedron stream also flows around the monastery hill.
The New Jerusalem Monastery began to be built in 1656, when Nikon was still on friendly terms with Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. With his allowance, construction progressed rapidly, but was suspended for fourteen years after the exile of the patriarch. By the diligence of Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich, the good deed was resumed. In his kingdom, the wish of the most holy came true - to return to his beloved abode. From the king he received permission to return to New Jerusalem, but he died on the way from exile and was buried.
After Nikon's death, construction continued, and in 1685 the cathedral was consecrated. The sacrament was performed by Patriarch Joachim. A year later, the sovereign patrons of the Resurrection Cathedral decided to grant the temple an “eternally approved charter” for all lands and estates.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the New Jerusalem Monastery was one of the most popular pilgrimage centers in the country. When a railroad track was laid nearby, the number of parishioners increased even more. In 1913, about 35 thousand people visited the monastery. With the funds allocated by the monastery, a hospice for poor pilgrims and a hotel was built. Rich contributions to the sacristy were made even by members of the royal family.
Historical Research
In the 19th century, the scientific study of the stages of development of the monastery began. The largest historian of the temple was Archimandrite Leonid, who created a truly fundamental work "Historical Description of the Resurrection Monastery." The manuscript was published in 1874 and contained not only a historical outline, but also publications of many documents of scientific value, which are now completely lost. In addition, the archimandrite founded a museum in which personal items of Patriarch Nikon, icons, books, paintings, fabrics from the collection of the monastery were exhibited. To this day, the Resurrection New Jerusalem Monastery is famous for its museum.
Closing the monastery in revolution
In troubled times for Russia, by decision of the local county congress of councils, the New Jerusalem Monastery was closed. The property of the monastery, according to the order, was arrested and nationalized. To this day, a memorial plaque is exhibited in the funds of the existing historical museum "New Jerusalem". It is engraved with an inscription that the Great Russian Revolution eliminated the "cult" Resurrection New Jerusalem Monastery and handed it over to the people. The cathedral ceased to serve. A little later, the most valuable items were removed from the sacristy and moved to the Armory.
Monastic affairs and the Great Patriotic War
In 1941, the monastery was in the midst of fierce battles for Moscow. Most of the buildings and buildings of the monastery were very badly damaged, some of them were completely destroyed. Information about itfigured even at the Nuremberg trials. After the war, closer to the 50s, restoration work began in the monastery. The architectural complex of the monastery was raised from the ruins. Then work was carried out to restore the interior of the cathedral. By the grace of the Lord, the New Jerusalem Monastery came to life, Istra to this day flows through its territory, emphasizing the peace and splendor of the area.
Cathedral and modern history
In 1994, the Russian Orthodox Church announced the resumption of the activities of Russian Palestine. The New Jerusalem Monastery, the restoration of which had not yet begun, received a new head. Patriarch Alexy II appointed the abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Nikita.
Since the middle of 2008, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church approved the head of the dean hegumen Theophylact. In the same year, the patriarch himself visited the monastery, accompanied by the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev. They familiarized themselves with the buildings and agreed that much remains to be done to revive the former splendor of Russian Palestine. It was then that the charitable foundation of the monastery was created.
In 2009, the President signed a decree, thanks to which measures were taken to recreate the historical appearance of the territory. Subsidies are allocated from the federal budget for the restoration of the monastery. According to the plan of the architects, the whole area should take on its historical features, which the New Jerusalem Monastery is so famous for. When the restoration is completed, the doors of the monastery will open wide for all pilgrims and parishioners.
Monastery Museum
The art and historical-architectural museum of the monastery was founded in 1920. Today it is one of the largest and oldest state museums located in the Moscow region. During the period of its existence, it has experienced many upheavals and transformations. In 1941, the building was almost destroyed by the Nazi invaders. Despite such severe damage, the memorial site has been revived and is actively developing to this day.
The modern museum has become a repository of more than 180 thousand exhibits, where unique collections of church utensils, foreign and domestic paintings, weapons, porcelain, rare printed and handwritten publications deserve close attention. You can get acquainted with collections of works of arts and crafts, graphics and paintings of the twentieth century. In the park area right under the open sky there is a department of wooden architecture. Any tourist or pilgrim can see the historical monuments of the 19th century: a mill, a chapel, peasant huts.
Today, the museum is located in a modern building, which was erected specially near the monastery. Thanks to this decision, visiting the New Jerusalem Monastery, the photo of which is presented below, has become more convenient.
Excursion programs
First of all, the exclusive program, which is designed for the winter season, deserves attention. As part of this tour, an inspection of the architectural ensemble of the Resurrection Monastery is carried out. Viewsightseeing includes visiting the central part of the cathedral, the underground church of Saints Helena and Constantine, side chapels and much more. The program also includes horseback riding and tea drinking with monastery pies. Access is available for all age groups.
Excursion "Patriarch Nikon"
Museum worker during the tour tells about the fate of the founder of the monastery. Its role in Russian history of the 17th century is widely covered. Walking through memorable places is carried out for adults and children. For the most symbolic fee, you can see the New Jerusalem Monastery, the Cathedral and the surrounding area.
Special attention deserves a tour of Orthodox churches and church art in general. Here you can find useful information about the intricacies of the structure of Russian monasteries, church sacraments, objects and attributes of church art that are used during worship. Museum visitors can make a real journey into the world of Russian icons, learning in detail about the saints revered in Orthodoxy, about the famous image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, about the formation of icon painting and the attitude towards icons in the old days.
Restoration work
Today, all measures have been taken to revive the monastery as one of the most important spiritual centers in Russia. Thanks to extensive restoration work, the Museum of the Resurrection Monastery will become the main exhibition area of the Moscow region. All the necessary conditions for restoration, storage will be recreated here.historical collections of the New Jerusalem Art Museum.
The museum will begin to function fully at the end of 2015. Its new building is almost three times the size of the old one. In addition to the exposition and exhibition area, the restoration project provides for the creation of modern storage facilities, museum shops and cafes, and many cultural and educational zones. Despite the repair work, every parishioner or tourist can visit the New Jerusalem Monastery. Tours are held regularly.
A publication is now being prepared for release, which will cover all stages of the rescue and implementation of the restoration work of the architectural ensemble of the New Jerusalem Monastery. It will publish many memoirs of contemporaries, documents and photographs.
All reconstruction work that the New Jerusalem Monastery is going through is planned to be completed by the end of next year, the museum will be restored a little earlier. The Abode will be fully restored.
Resurrection Cathedral
Today it is the only monument of Russian art in which tiles were used for interior decoration. The parapets of the galleries, ceramic friezes, inscriptions fully correspond to the division of the space of the temple. Doorways are decorated with ceramic portals. In seven aisles, unique iconostases, also made of tiles, have been preserved. Particularly impressive are the three-tier iconostases, whose height reaches eight meters. The Resurrection Cathedral of the New Jerusalem Monastery is striking in its beauty.
How to get to the monastery
A train departs from Moscow from the Rizhsky railway station to the station "Istra" or "Novoirusalimskaya". Then you should transfer to a bus or fixed-route taxi and get to the stop "Monastyr". In addition, at the Tushino metro station there is a stop from where a regular bus to Istra departs. It is better to buy tickets in advance so as not to stand in tiresome queues.
If a car trip is meant, you should go to the Volokolamsk highway. It is necessary to move past Nakhabino, Krasnogorsk, Snegirey, Dedovsk, through the city of Istra, the highway just looks like a monastery. There are special places on the territory where you can leave your own vehicle.
Reviews of tourists
A visit to the monastery, even during the renovation, becomes one of the most significant events for people. Even from afar, the monastery offers a magnificent view. As tourists say, this is a place that can be visited repeatedly. A special spirit reigns here, which remains with a person for several days after traveling to the monastery. According to those who visited the monastery, the museum of the New Jerusalem Monastery gives a very vivid impression, which hosts interesting and informative excursion programs.
People note in their reviews the amazingly beautiful and unusual dome, wonderful walls, impressive with their splendor at first sight. This monastery stands out among all the other ancient temples in Russia, which is immediately noticeable to an experienced tourist. It is very interesting, according to the parishioners, to pass throughmain gate: first, the underground church opens to the eye, then the main cathedral. Memories and impressions of such holy places remain for a long time.
Other people are pleased that the monastery owns a large, spacious territory, there is a spring with holy water, places where you can ride horses, a lot of flowers, shops with souvenirs are open. All pilgrims, tourists, people you meet along the way are smiling and beaming with goodwill.
The monastery can be visited with children, which is gratifying for all families. If you wish, you can have a bite to eat simple but tasty food and continue exploring.
Instead of a conclusion
The territory of the monastery is a place where one feels special goodness. Even during the restoration of its appearance, the temple is open to parishioners and tourists who want to feel the spiritual depth of the place of worship and see with their own eyes all the beauty that the New Jerusalem Monastery is. When the restoration is completed, the territory and the museum will delight parishioners with their restored interior and exterior decoration.
