Veliky Novgorod, Yuriev Monastery: the oldest monastery in Russia

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

St. Yuriev Monastery is located on the banks of such a river as the Volkhov. Here is the city of Veliky Novgorod. Yuriev Monastery is an active Orthodox male monastery. This is an interesting place that you should definitely visit during a trip to the most beautiful city in Russia.

Historical background

Yuriev Monastery (Veliky Novgorod), whose founding date is 1030, according to legend, was founded by Yaroslav the Wise, who received the name George during baptism, which was pronounced in Russian as "Yuri". It is this fact that underlies the name of the monastery monastery.

In the annals it was first mentioned in 1119. For several centuries it was called the Lavra and was considered the first in importance among the monasteries of Veliky Novgorod. In the 15th century, he was the richest and largest church feudal lord. In the 20-30s of the 20th century, the monastery was closed and plundered. The Great Patriotic War did not bypass the monastery. The military units of the German and Spanish invaders were stationed here. In the post-war period, the Yuriev Monastery in Veliky Novgorod became a place of residence for people. It housed a museum, a technical school, a shop, a post office andetc. The return of the monastery to the Russian Orthodox Church took place in 1991.

Interesting historical facts

Veliky Novgorod is famous for its rich history. Yuryev Monastery has its own history, in which there are many facts that cause genuine interest among tourists. Let's take a look at some interesting facts:

• The patron of the monastery was Countess Anna Orlova, daughter of a famous person, Alexei Orlov-Chesmensky. She was an extremely religious woman and donated almost all of her we alth to the needs of the monastery.
• St. Yuriev Monastery in Veliky Novgorod is not distinguished by a large number of monks. In general, they are rarely seen here. Because there are only four of them. Most often, tourists mistake NDU students for monks.
• On the territory of the monastery there is a large and beautiful apple orchard, which in 1990-2000 was looked after by students of the Institute of Agriculture of the Novgorod State University. Now it is the responsibility of parishioners and pilgrims.
• There is a no-smoking sign on the territory of the monastery. Earlier in 1990, she asked citizens not to walk on the lawn.
• Georgievsky Cathedral of the Yuriev Monastery (Veliky Novgorod) is the burial place of the mother and elder brother of Alexander Nevsky.
• Directly behind the monastery is "Yurievsky" beach, where you can swim and sunbathe.
• The Novgorod Theological School is located at the monastery, which began operating in 2004.

Buildings

A whole ensemble of cathedrals andTemples make up the Yuriev Monastery (Veliky Novgorod). A photo of the map of the monastery hangs at the entrance. Anyone can get to know her. The monastery includes:

• Georgievsky Cathedral, which is the main temple.
• The Holy Cross Cathedral is a beautiful church with blue domes adorned with golden stars.
• Savior Cathedral.
• The bell tower, which reaches a height of 52 meters, is a visiting card.
• Stone gazebo, where the consecrated water source used to be.
• An old windmill, belongs to the Vitoslavlitsy Museum.

Georgievsky Cathedral

Many churches are located on the territory of the city of Veliky Novgorod. Yuriev Monastery includes several temples.

The main one is St. George's Cathedral. Its construction was initiated in 1119. The church was built by master Peter. He was one of the first ancient Russian masters, and one of the few whose name has come down to our time. Construction lasted for 11 years. In 1130 it was consecrated in the name of George the Victorious. Abbots of the monastery, some Russian princes and Novgorod posadniks are buried here.

The style of the cathedral is impeccably logical. Its forms have material weight. It seems to be created for a princely exit, and not at all for the transition to contemplation and self-deepening. This reflects the character of the temple and its purpose. After all, initially it was built not only as the main cathedral of the monastery, but also as a princely church.

External view of the cathedral andthe interior decoration is grandiose. However, it is distinguished by a large number of monotonous niches and windows, which are located in belts. Despite this grandeur, the architecture of the cathedral is simple. It is lined with stone blocks and bricks. The roof has four slopes. Previously, it was covered with lead sheets and was distinguished by its originality. Three domes arranged asymmetrically form the crown of the temple.

The walls of the cathedral were painted shortly before the consecration. But, unfortunately, at present, the ancient painting on the frescoes is almost completely destroyed. Only minor fragments remain that adorn the window slopes, as well as ornamental decorations. But the ancient painting was preserved in a small temple, which is located in a tower in the northwestern side.

The Cathedral strikes with its power and grandeur. Since the walls of the church are very thick, it is always cold there. However, it works. According to the monastic charter, divine services are performed here. The brethren are still not numerous, but the cathedral is gradually being revived, the temple is being repaired, icons are being painted, the monastery economy is being arranged.

Ex altation of the Cross Cathedral

St. Yuriev Monastery (Veliky Novgorod) includes another temple - the Holy Cross Cathedral. This is a beautiful church with blue domes decorated with golden stars. This cathedral is immediately noticeable against the background of the general ensemble of the monastery. It is located right in the wall and immediately attracts attention against the background of other white walls. There are five blue chapters. They contain 208 eight-pointed stars.

Formerlyin its place was a wooden church that burned down in 1823.

After the Bolsheviks closed the temple, it lost its beautiful wall painting. Now it's just painted white.

The church has a heating system, so services are regularly held here at any time of the year.

Savior Cathedral

From the northwest side of St. George's Church is the Cathedral of the Savior. Initially, a church was built on this site from the stone of A. Nevsky. However, in 1823 there was a strong fire that destroyed it. The following year, the Cathedral of the Savior was erected on the same spot, based on the foundation of the old church. It was ordered by Archimandrite Photius. It was rebuilt with money donated to the monastery by Anna Orlova. In the basement, the Church of the Praise of the Virgin was organized. It became the tomb for Archimandrite Photius and the benefactor Anna Orlova.

In 1929, the temple, along with the tombs, was looted, and the remains of Photius and Anna were stolen. Later, they were found in Arkazhi in the Church of the Annunciation.

The Great Patriotic War caused serious damage to the cathedral. All the heads of the church were destroyed, but in the post-war period they were restored. Now the cathedral is working again.

Belfry

Against the background of all the buildings of the Yuriev Monastery, the bell tower stands out with its height. It consists of 4 tiers. Its height is 52 meters. It was built in 1838-1841. The bell tower was designed by Carlo Rossi. The architect Sokolov was engaged in the construction. If you lookdirectly on the bell tower, you can pay attention to the disproportion of its parts. This is due to the fact that one hundred Nicholas the First crossed out the middle tier from the project so that the building would not be higher than the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in the Kremlin. During the Easter week, any tourist can try to ring the bells. This building is clearly visible from the pedestrian bridge in a city like Veliky Novgorod. Yuryev Monastery is easy to distinguish from a distance. The bell tower with a golden dome, which literally burns in the rays of the sun, is the hallmark of the monastery.

Church of the Archangel Michael

In the south-east of the monastery, the Church of the Archangel Michael adjoins directly to the fence. The tower was built in 1760, and the church here was built by Archimandrite Photius in 1831. In wartime, like most of the buildings of the monastery, it was destroyed. The shape of the church was restored in 1950. However, the drum and dome were revived only in 2010-2013. The interior of the church has not yet been restored.

Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "The Burning Bush"

This church was also founded by Archimandrite Photius to protect the monastery from fires, which were not uncommon for him. It can only be accessed through the corridor of the South Building. There is heating, but services are held only on holidays. Mass tourists are not allowed to go there. Here prayers of the inhabitants are carried out, next to it are their cells. Open access for pilgrims.

Modern life of the monastery

Currently Yuryev malemonastery (Veliky Novgorod) is active. The complex of buildings was transferred to the jurisdiction of the diocese of the city at the end of 1991. Only four years later a monastic community was established here.

The archimandrite of the monastery is His Eminence Leo (Tserpitsky).

Worship is held in four churches, but not all of them are heated.

The Holy Synod blessed in 2005 the opening of a religious school on the territory of the monastery. Archbishop Leo is its rector.

So, St. Yuriev Monastery in Veliky Novgorod is a beautiful complex of churches with a rich history. More than once, fires occurred on its territory; in wartime, many temples were destroyed and badly damaged. However, the monastery is being restored and continues to operate. There is still a lot of work to be done to restore the cloister. Despite this, the cathedrals amaze tourists with their beauty and power.