Lavra Sergiev Posad is rightfully considered one of the most important Orthodox shrines in Russia. It is revered and called the heart of the Orthodox world, since throughout its history this monastery has shown unbending fortitude and faith. To date, the largest Orthodox monastery is located here.
History of the Lavra
The emergence of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra goes far back in time, namely to 1337, when two brothers Bartholomew and Stefan built a cell and a small church near the city of Radonezh. The latter was consecrated in the name of the Holy Trinity.
After a while, Stefan decided to move to the Epiphany Monastery, while Bartholomew stayed. The latter took the tonsure and began to be called by the name Sergius (later he was known as Radonezhsky). The hermit was alone for about two years, then those who wanted to receive instructions began to settle near his cell. In total there were twelve cells, which, throughfor some time they were surrounded by a fence, and a gate was also set up.
After some time, Mitrofan was appointed hegumen, who remained in this post until 1344. After the position passed to Sergius of Radonezh himself. He zealously monitored the observance of the order of service, although there was no permanent priest. This is how the future Sergiyev Posad Lavra began to take shape.
Even during the life of Sergius, a large wooden church was built with the money of Archimandrite Simon. The cells for the brothers were also repaired.
Invasion of the Horde on the Russian land and a new era in the life of the Lavra
An important milestone in the history of Russia was the Tatar-Mongol yoke. It was a tough time for everyone. In 1380, hegumen Sergius, at the request of Prince Dmitry, who revered him, stood in prayer all the time the battle was going on. With his gift of clairvoyance, he saw everything that happened on the battlefield.
In 1392, the future Lavra of Sergiev Posad lost St. Sergius. He has gone to another world. Nikon succeeded him. Fifteen years after its appointment, the monastery was burned to the ground by the invasion of the horde. It had to be rebuilt.
In 1422, another miracle happened, which made it possible to open the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh. This led to new construction, as a result of which the Trinity Cathedral was erected. It was he who became the temple for the acquired relics of the saint.
The cathedral was built of stone. The well-known icon painter Andrey Rublev was invited to paint it. Of course, painting in its original form beforetoday has not been preserved, as it was updated several times, and some fragments were generally made anew.
The miracle of liberation with the help of Sergius of Radonezh after his death
I would like to say separately about that period in the life of the monastery, when it was besieged by the Poles and Lithuanians. This began in 1608 and lasted until 1610. The monastery was besieged by a huge army, and there were many times fewer defenders. At this time, the whole Lavra of Sergiyev Posad stood at prayer. Thanks to the intercession of the patron saint Sergius of Radonezh, the monastery survived.
At this time, numerous miracles happened and, despite the superiority of opponents, the brothers did not give up and believed. For six weeks, the monastery walls were shelled from guns, but the assault failed. Then the enemy's digs were used, which also did not help to break through the defense.
Protection of the monastery is today an indicator of masculinity. At that time, this feat inspired many not to give up and continue the fight against the invaders.
Monastery during the reign of Peter and obtaining the title of Lavra
Trinity-Sergius Lavra at one time more than once served as a refuge for roy alty. It was thanks to their frequent visits that special chambers were built - Halls. This building was designed specifically for such visits.
Peter I took refuge in the monastery from the uprising in 1682. Seven years later, he again ended up there, but already fleeing from a conspiracy. It was here that his “amusing” regiments came to help the future king, which allowed him to cope withconspirators. From this monastery begins a new history of the reign of Peter I.
In 1742 a seminary was opened in the monastery, and two years later the monastery received the status of a Lavra. Since 1747, the construction of a church in the name of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God began. It lasted until 1767. The style of the church is baroque, it has a rounded shape, as well as numerous balconies with balustrades.
Formation of the city of Sergiev Posad
The city itself began to be founded in 1610, when there was a military garrison in the monastery. At the same time, the first settlements began to appear around it. The lands of the monastery had great benefits, which contributed to the development of crafts, as well as the prosperity of trade. As a result, the settlement grew, as well as an increase in the number of people, which in the future led to the formation of the city of Sergiev Posad. The Trinity-Sergius Lavra actively contributed to this with its buildings.
Giving the monastery the title of Lavra, as well as the emergence of spiritual educational institutions, elevated it to a special status. Already at the beginning of the 18th century, there were a large number of densely populated settlements around the monastery. In 1782 they all received the name Sergiev Posad. He fully worked for the needs of the monastery - servicing the pilgrims who arrived in large numbers, trade, later hotel business, etc. Everything was connected with the needs of the Lavra. We can say that the city of Sergiev Posad, Moscow Region, was a great continuation of the monastery.
Lavra during Soviet rule
During the formation of Soviet powerLavra has changed. Numerous property of the monastery was confiscated. In 1918, the nationalization of the Lavra took place, and a year later a blasphemous act was committed - the relics of Sergius of Radonezh were opened. This event forced a large number of people to gather in the monastery and the city of Sergiev Posad, Moscow Region. The new authorities made a concession to the believers - they did not destroy the relics, but simply opened them.
In November 1919, all the monks from the monastery were evicted and sent to the Gethsemane Skete, and in May 1920 it was completely sealed and closed.
After these events, there were many institutions on the territory of the monastery: a museum, a club, a shooting gallery, and even a pedagogical institute. Some buildings were occupied by residents.
The next years were not easy at all. The church of Philaret was destroyed, in which the graves of some saints were located. The latter were looted, and the relics were thrown into a garbage pit.
The resumption of worship took place in 1946 at Easter. They returned some of the relics of the saints, and also opened a theological seminary and academy. It was one of the few active monasteries at that difficult time for Orthodoxy.
A new era after the collapse of the USSR
Of course, after the Soviets left the political arena, the Orthodox could not hide their faith. In addition to the work of the academy and the seminary resumed in 1948, now there are two schools there - an icon-painting and a regency school. There is also a museum.
The destroyed monasteries of the Lavra began to revive, after whichsolemn worship. The hotel has been reconstructed, which now offers all comers with amenities.
Now there are about three hundred monks in the monastery, who have various duties. This, for example, publishing and missionary activities, they feed the prisoners, and also accept the confessions of pilgrims.
Miracles that happened here
Trinity Lavra (Sergiev Posad) amazes with all the miracles that happened here by the will of God. The protector of the monastery, Sergius of Radonezh, warned more than once about the hardship. This happened for the first time in 1408. He came in a dream to his successor Nikon and warned of danger. All the brothers went to a safe place and did the right thing, as the monastery was burned to the ground.
Another similar vision happened in 1611. Then he appeared to Kuzma Minin three times with a call to gather an army and go to liberate Moscow.
Architecture and buildings of the Lavra
Today, the buildings of the Lavra, which were erected in the 15th-19th centuries, are some guide to Russian architecture of that time. For example, the Pyatnitskaya Tower, which appeared in 1640. She is one of the most powerful, and she also has seventy-seven loopholes.
You can enter the Lavra through the Holy Gates, above which is located the Red Gate Tower, which has fifty-eight loopholes. The gates themselves are decorated with various frescoes that tell about the life of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
Also an interesting architectural composition is the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. It is styledMoscow baroque and is a wonderful decoration of the entrance to the Lavra.
In 1422, the Trinity Cathedral was built in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh. This is a truly interesting building that conveys some of the architecture of that time.
The shrines that are in the Lavra
Holy Trinity Lavra (Sergiev Posad) keeps a lot of shrines that are important for the Orthodox. Consider each of them:
- the holy relics of Sergius of Radonezh (located in the Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra, almost all the time from the moment they were found were at the monastery);
- the holy relics of Anthony of Radonezh (kept in the Spiritual Cathedral of the Lavra);
- the holy relics of Maxim the Greek (kept in the Refectory Church of the Lavra, were found relatively recently, in 1996);
- The Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God (kept in the Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra);
- Chernigov Icon of the Mother of God (ibid.);
- the icon of St. Nicholas, which is very honored (kept in the church of St. Sergius).
Help for patients with Laurel
In the Lavra they practice curing diseases that medicine calls mental. In Orthodoxy, this is corruption and demonic possession. Therefore, many spiritually ill people come here, where the city of Sergiev Posad, Lavra, is located. The reprimand takes place with the help of prayers, which are a special heritage for this since the fourth century. There is also the anointing with holy oil, then the sprinkling of holy water and the overshadowing of the cross.
Of course, the patients themselves do not behave at alladequately. The human body, possessed by various demons, makes rather strange gestures. Also, patients make various sounds, inhuman voices, as well as croak, cry, laugh. Some patients are brought in tied up from other areas.
One of the most powerful exorcists in the city of Sergiev Posad (Lavra) is Father Herman (Chesnokov). He does the cleaning. By the way, this is not a joke at all, and it is better not to be present at the same time. This event is dangerous because an inexperienced and weak person can catch some kind of demon himself. Then he will also need a report.
Where is the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra?
Now consider how to get to the city of Sergiev Posad (Lavra). The address is not difficult at all. It is located in the Moscow region. You can get there from the Yaroslavsky railway station on suburban electric trains that go straight to the station you need. Approximate driving time is one and a half hours. Then you can walk directly to the Lavra from the station or take one stop by minibus.
Besides suburban electric trains, there are buses to Sergiev Posad. They come from VDNKh very often. The first bus leaves at half past seven in the morning, and the last one at twenty to eleven in the evening. From Sergiev Posad, the first bus leaves at five o'clock in the morning, and the last one at nine o'clock in the evening.
For a more comfortable travel by car to the city of Sergiev Posad (Lavra), a map of this area will help you. Get it before your trip and you will easilyyou can get there.
