Unlike many monasteries that arose in the habitats of hermits, the Alexander Nevsky Lavra was formed by the followers of the church. The name of this holy place is associated with important events in the history of Russia. In 1240, the Grand Duke and commander Alexander Yaroslavovich won a major victory in the war with the Swedes on the Neva River, for which he was named Nevsky. Later canonized by the Orthodox Church as the Patron Saint of Russia.
Today, the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra, whose opening hours are very convenient for visiting, is a very popular place for both Russian tourists and foreigners.
The reign of Peter I
The official date of foundation of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra is March 25, 1713 - the day of consecration of the first wooden Church of the Annunciation. According to historical information, the founder of the Nevsky Monastery was the famousEmperor Peter I. It was he who in 1702 ordered construction to begin at the place where the Black River (the real name of the Monastyrka) flows into the Neva. Archimandrite Theodosius supervised the construction and arrangement of the monastery. The main buildings were designed by Domenico Trezzini, an Italian architect and engineer. In his view, the future Alexander Nevsky Lavra was seen as a whole ensemble of stone buildings located between the Black River and the Neva. The implementation of Trezzini's plans dragged on for many years. During this time, in addition to the main monastic buildings, a whole town appeared here with houses, gardens, stables, a mill, a smithy. A church school was also opened here, which was later transformed into a theological seminary, and then into an academy. The relics of Alexander Nevsky were solemnly transferred from Vladimir to the new capital of Russia on September 12, 1724 by decree of Peter the Great. This day is still celebrated in the Russian Orthodox Church. The great commander became the patron saint of the newly minted Russian capital, but the massive silver sarcophagus was relocated in Soviet times to the Hermitage, where it remains (without relics) today.
Synodal Period
After Domenico Trezzini, Ivan Starov became the chief architect of church buildings, who redid a lot at his own discretion, significantly expanding the construction area. In 1797 the monastery was elevated to the rank of Lavra. At that time, the Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra (Petersburg) was not only the largest in the country, but also one ofthe richest.
Soviet times
During the revolution, People's Commissar for Social Security A. M. Kollontai wanted to transform the monastery into a haven for war invalids. A group of sailors who went there on January 19, 1918, were met by an angry mob of parishioners. The Bolsheviks had to retreat. As a result, an order was issued to stop funding the church from the state budget. The apogee of these events was the decree on the separation of church and state. In 1922, the monastery was practically "legally plundered" in favor of the starving. The silver shrine, where the relics of Alexander Nevsky were kept, was opened and transferred to the Hermitage, and the relics themselves were transferred to the fund of the State Museum. From that moment on, the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg continued to operate until 1932, until all the monks were arrested. A year later, the monastery was closed and reorganized into a church parish, and in 1936 services completely ceased. For the next 20 years, various secular institutions were located on the territory of the monastery, and only in 1957 services were resumed. The relics of the commander were returned to their rightful place only at the end of the 80s.
Necropolis of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Lazarevsky cemetery
The Lavra in St. Petersburg is famous for its necropolis, where many famous people of the last century are buried - writers, military leaders, scientists. Initially, there was one cemetery here - Lazarevskoye, founded back in the timereign of Peter I. Only rich or famous people in the country were honored to be buried here. To date, all tombstones, monuments, sarcophagi are of great historical value. The family vault of the famous Count Sheremetyev is also located here.
Tikhvin cemetery
Over time, the Lazarevsky cemetery became too cramped, and it was decided to open another one, which was called Novo-Lazarevsky. It acquired clear boundaries only at the end of the 19th century, when it was surrounded by a stone fence. Around the same time, the new cemetery of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra was renamed Tikhvin. This was due to the construction of a tomb in the name of the icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God on the territory of the cemetery. Burials in the new cemetery are also associated with the names of famous figures of culture, art and the scientific world. Toward the middle of the 20th century, burials at the Tikhvin cemetery ceased, and it was reconstructed into a memorial park.
Nikolskoe cemetery
The third cemetery on the territory of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra was opened in 1863. Since the St. Nicholas Church was located on the territory of the necropolis, the cemetery itself was called Nikolsky. The new cemetery is somewhat different from its counterparts. Firstly, there are many chapels built in the Old Russian style on its territory. Secondly, in addition to the usual monuments and crypts, there are many bronze statues and busts of buried people. Thirdly, the Nikolsky cemetery is the only one in the Lavra,which has not received the status of a museum. It operates to this day, but only a few of the most famous people of our time are honored to rest in this holy land.
Every year many tourists and pilgrims come to St. Petersburg. The purpose of their arrival is the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Opening hours are very convenient for everyone who wants to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this place. The cathedral is open from 6.00 to 20.00, the territory of the Lavra from 5.30 to 23.00.
History and present
The revival of church life and worship within the walls of the Lavra began in the second half of the 90s, and in 2000 all the buildings were transferred to the diocese. On the territory of the monastery are two churches, designed by the father and son Trezzini in 1717-1722 and 1742-1750, respectively; the majestic Neoclassical Cathedral, built in 1778-1790 according to the design of Ivan Starov and dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and many smaller structures. The Lazarevskoye and Tikhvinskoye cemeteries are also located here, where the richly decorated tombs of Mikhail Lomonosov, Alexander Suvorov, Nikolai Karamzin, Modest Mussorgsky, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Karl Rossi and other famous people are preserved. Today, the Nevsky Monastery is a popular place for tourists and pilgrims. Orthodox guides will tell the history of the emergence of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra for everyone. On the territory of the monastery there is a refectory and a tea room, where you can order hot meals for both pilgrimage groups and individual pilgrims. Here are builtthree hotels where you can rent cozy and affordable rooms. Today, there is a pilgrimage service in the Lavra, which is responsible for organizing excursions both on the territory of the Lavra itself and on the churches and temples of St. Petersburg.
Birthday of Alexander Nevsky Lavra
In 2013 the Orthodox Church celebrated the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg. The countdown of this event began on March 25, 1713, namely, from the first Divine Liturgy within the walls of the temple. During the celebration, all the brethren, led by the vicar of the church, made a procession. The parishioners listened to the congratulations of Metropolitan Vladimir, who called on people to preserve this holy place, which is the spiritual center of all Russia.
Interesting facts
Like any ancient place, the Nevsky Monastery is shrouded in secrets and mysteries. Here are just a few interesting facts related to the history of the emergence and development of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.
- Due to the fact that the monastery was formed on the spot where Alexander Nevsky defeated the Swedes, it was originally called "Victoria".
- The Orthodox Academy in St. Petersburg originates from a school built on the territory of the Lavra and intended at one time exclusively for the children of clergy.
- The relics of Alexander Nevsky, which were transported to the territory of the monastery during the reign of Peter I and are stored there at the present time, during the years of the revolution were taken out and transferred to the Statemuseum.
- In the difficult post-revolutionary times, many clergy suffered at the hands of the Bolsheviks - they were either shot or arrested.
- In 1918, the government decided to seize the territory of the Lavra and use it for their own needs. However, the sent detachment met unprecedented resistance from the parishioners and was forced to retreat. After these events, divine services continued for another 15 years.
- One of the temples of the Lavra is still not in her possession and is a city museum.
- The construction of this historical complex lasted almost a hundred years. Many famous architects and builders of that time participated in the process of designing and erecting temples and churches.
Latest events
Most recently, on September 12, 2016, the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg organized the Nevsky Zvony festival within its walls. The celebrations were timed to coincide with the day of the transfer of the relics of Alexander Nevsky and began with a traditional common prayer. The best bell ringers of Russia and neighboring countries took part in the festival and pleased those present with their skill. In addition, a film about bells was presented to the attention of those present. In the final part of the holiday, anyone could not only ring the bell on their own, but also receive a master class from the best bell ringers.
