Before entering Moscow from St. Petersburg, we are met by the Moscow Compound of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery. You can visit the monastery as part of an organized tour. During your excursion, you have the opportunity to choose any of the presented programs.
The history of the appearance of the Valaam Monastery
The first mention of the beginning of the construction of the monastery dates back to 1900. It was during this period, as described in archival documents, that the laying of the Valaam Monastery began. In the same period, construction was completed.
Already a year later, the church was consecrated by the Moscow Metropolitan. It was consecrated in honor of Valaam wonderworkers Sergius and Herman. Throughout the history of the monastery, construction did not stop. Works on reconstruction and expansion of buildings were constantly carried out.
Philanthropists
One of the frequently mentioned benefactors of the temple is Kournikov G. I.
At one time he was a famous merchant who built houses andselling them. Most of his income went to charity, not only to the Moscow courtyard of the Valaam Monastery, but also to the poor and low-income families.
At the same time, he served as headman in a church in Tverskaya-Yamskaya Sloboda. The temple was destroyed, like many others in the thirties of the last century.
The benefactor was married to a well-known merchant of that time, who participated in charitable activities with her husband. In addition to her, Kournikov was helped by his brother Philip, with whom they donated to the temple not only a large amount of money, but also the icon of the Mother of God of Jerusalem. The icon is still kept in one of the temples of the monastery.
The charter of the monastery
Life in the monastery was held in strict rules. The order of worship was determined by Abbot Gabriel until 1910.
Spiritual and educational activities of the Moscow Compound of the Valaam Monastery were carried out actively throughout its existence. To this day, these traditions remain unchanged. Much attention is paid to the spiritual and moral education of all residents of the farmstead.
For more than a hundred years of its existence, the monastery has acquired its own educational structure. Here you can find Sunday schools for children. For the older generation there are theological lectures. Not so long ago, a cinema was opened on the territory of the monastery.
Great attention is paid to the communication of educators with parishioners. This happens on an ongoing basis. Which is undoubtedlybrings together the inhabitants of the monastery and its parishioners.
On certain days, well-known priests from other parishes and teachers of theological schools are invited to give lectures in churches.
Architectural Solutions
But initially the project under which the construction was carried out was developed by the famous architect Roop A. N. The building adorned the entrance to Moscow.
The architecture of the entire building skillfully combines the gray tones of the granite foundation with dark red polished columns. All window sills in the chapel and temple were made of marble and granite.
Icons for the iconostasis to order were painted by the famous artist Guryanov V. P.
The iconostasis of the main temple was made on Valaam. Thanks to the gilded carving, it looked majestic. In addition to handmade icons and the iconostasis, one could see other necessary silver utensils in the temple, which were mostly donated by parishioners.
In the 20s of the last century, most of the buildings of the monastery were destroyed. The courtyard was completely mutilated. The belfry was broken, and the cross was removed and sent for melting down.
Windows in many buildings were bricked up. Most of the inhabitants of the monastery were sent to do chores.
After a couple of years, all silver utensils were seized as donations to the starving. Despite the struggle of all those who were not indifferent, the first floor of the main temple was reserved for "social women". In addition to the fact that all this caused inconveniencebrothers of the monastery, there were clashes with representatives of the communist parties, which negatively affected the services and the life of the temple as a whole.
After the complete closure of the temple, clinics were placed on its territory. And during the Second World War, a military hospital settled here, in which many unique operations were carried out to save the lives of the seriously wounded.
The main building in the courtyard was completely mutilated and filled with concrete. The dome was completely filled with logs.
Persecution and devastation
Despite all the persecution, the brethren continued to faithfully and faithfully serve the Lord.
Several times the Bolsheviks, with their unexpected seizures, tried to finally close the temple, but all their attempts ended in nothing.
For the first time, the military raided the monastery unexpectedly at night and began to conduct a search in an attempt to find prohibited items. But finding nothing, they were forced to leave.
The second attempt was made on the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. In the morning they broke in with the intention of closing the temple and evicting the monks. But on that day, there were a large number of parishioners in the Moscow courtyard of the Valaam Monastery, which prevented the Bolsheviks from carrying out their plan.
Some of the ministers still could not stand it and left for Finland, but those who remained unquestioningly followed all the instructions of the current abbot, who actively fought for the monastery and the extension of its activities.
But despite all the efforts, the temple in 1926 was closed completely. Those whoat that time lived on its territory, were partially arrested, partially dispersed.
Restoration of the temple
Already by the beginning of the nineties, the premises were in disrepair. Communications were unusable. The authorities raised the issue of the demolition of all buildings.
But already in 1993 the temple was transferred to the department of the Moscow Patriarchate. Monastic life began to gradually resume. The parishioners began to visit the temple immediately and took an active part in the renewal of the Moscow Compound of the Valaam Monastery. Divine services in the central part of the church of St. Sergei and Herman were held in the spring of the following year, during the Easter period.
And by the end of the nineties, for the first time after the restoration, the newly installed bells rang, which indicated the complete restoration of the upper church.
After that, the restoration of the lower temple began. Basically, the architects tried to restore all the old painting and interior. But unfortunately, since the iconostasis was completely destroyed, it was not possible to restore it and a new one had to be ordered.
The first service was already held in 1998. With the blessing of the current Metropolitan, the restored lower church was named after Alexander Nevsky.
On the southern column of the temple was depicted the image of all the miracle workers of Valaam and the patrons of the temple of Sergius and Herman.
Moscow Compound of the Valaam Monastery: Schedule of Divine Services
On weekdays, the morning service starts at 8 am. Vespersheld from 5pm.
On Sundays and holidays, the morning liturgy begins at half past six in the morning. Confession falls at the beginning of ten, and already at half past nine, a late divine liturgy is held.
Monastery Choir
It is believed that music is one of the most abstract forms of art and at the same time carries great energy. It is very important what they sing about and how they do it. After all, music conveys the mood of the soul, the state of mind. Therefore, the choir of the Moscow Compound of the Valaam Monastery was formed over more than one year.
It is very important that people are not distracted from prayer during the chant.
At the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th century, due to Western influence, paired chants became fashionable. And already at the beginning of the last century, such chants spread everywhere. And only in some temples did they try to preserve the ancient traditions of chants. The Moscow courtyard of the Valaam Monastery was no exception.
And unfortunately, today Valaam has remained one of the few large monasteries in Russia where the style of Znamenny chants has been preserved.
The monastery choir closely cooperates with the St. Petersburg Department of Ancient Chant.
Church Trade Shop
There is a church shop on the territory of the monastery, in the assortment of which there are various church utensils, icons of various formats, liturgical supplies.
The store has a separate candle department where you can not only buy candles of various sizes, but also order prayers,memorial services.
If you get tired during the tour, then there is an opportunity to eat and drink tea or coffee in a separate room.
Here you will find a room where you will be offered to relax with small children.
The monastery provides an opportunity to live the life of monks for a while. But this is rather not a service for tourists, but an opportunity for people who want to take the path of obedience to make their decision.
Outreach today
Educational activities continue to develop in the temple. Sunday school for children continues to operate. Here they tell children about the basics of faith, instill love for God, and expand the creative horizons of the child. As before, educational lectures with parishioners continue at the monastery courtyard. Everyone can come and find answers to their questions. It is possible to attend classes for adults. They are held daily, regardless of the day of the week. Educational activities since 2010, with the blessing of the patriarch, have been carried out via the Internet. Various social groups have been created, where it is possible to view the lecture of interest online.
Below is the photo of the Moscow courtyard of the Valaam Monastery today.
Moscow Compound of the Valaam Monastery: address
As mentioned above, the monastery is located at the entrance to Moscow. It is located on the streetSecond Tverskaya-Yamskaya, in the house at number 52.
