Alekseevsky Monastery (Uglich): description, history, shrines

Alekseevsky Monastery (Uglich) - an Orthodox church located in the picturesque town of Uglich on the mountain itself, in ancient times called Ogneva. Stone Stream is nearby. Metropolitan Alexy instructed the monk Adrian to build a monastery in this place, having previously obtained permission from Dmitry Donskoi, the Moscow prince. 1371 is considered the year of the foundation of the monastery. Today it is a women's residence of the Russian Orthodox Church.

History of construction

The wooden walls that protect Uglich from Yaroslavl served as the encirclement of the monastery. Initially, the Alekseevsky nunnery was called Uspensky. In 1439, he was renamed, after naming in honor of Metropolitan Alexy. In his honor in 1534 there was also built a temple of brick. It was the first stone building outside the walls of the Kremlin. In the 19th century the church was completely rebuilt. From the original building there is nothing left. In 1609, Polish-Lithuanian interventionists attacked Uglich. The monastery also suffered. Many monks were killed.

Fortunately, the invaders were expelled, but many people in Uglich died at that time. In their honor on the territory of the monastery built the Assumption Church, which was so beautiful that it was called the Wonder Church. This building was proud of the Alekseevsky Monastery (Uglich). The stone building was one of the first in Russia, which was built after a difficult period when the state treasury had absolutely no means for large-scale construction.

Pokrovsky was considered the oldest monastery in Russia. After its destruction, the church became the oldest city shrine.

During the mutiny against Peter I the Alekseevsky Monastery (Uglich) became the place of captivity of the streltsy.

Church of the Assumption

The Assumption Church of the Alekseevsky Monastery is the perfect architectural construction of Ancient Rus. The church has three tents. This building is a real symbol of beauty. From that time to the present day, people do not cease to admire its attractive beauty. Many wonder how it was possible to create such a fairy church. Not for nothing at that time it was called Divnaya.

In addition to the church, the building also houses a refectory. The Church of the Alekseevsky Monastery in Uglich has symmetrical chapels that are displaced to the east. Over the two chapels and the church majestically rise tents. If you look at the church from the west, you can say that the temple has three domes. The facade on the eastern side looks just magnificent.

Tents smoothly soar, altar ledges are distinguished by strict elegance in comparison with the main body of construction.

Alekseevskaya church

The temple was built in the early 18th century. Presumably it was built by the Rostov architect Grigory Borisov. Perhaps he was helped by Italian masters who lived in Moscow at that time. Time of Troubles has left its pernicious imprint on this amazing shrine. But in 1631 it was restored. On the south side Epiphany chapel was built. In the 19th century the church was almost completely rebuilt. The temple was given a classic look due to the efforts of designer Pankov P. Ya., Who served under the Yaroslavl province. In 1829 the refectory was added. In the early 20th century, the architectural and archaeological detachment of the Uglich expedition of archaeologists of the Municipal Hermitage, headed by E.Turova, established that the 16th century building was almost completely preserved. Only a few absessions were lost. Later the building of the church was decided to be rebuilt.

The abyss of the Alekseevskaya church resembled the abysses of the Danilovsky Monastery in Pereslavl-Zalessky. There was also a similarity to the architecture of the buildings of Gregory Borisov in Borisoglebsk.

Church of John the Baptist

Alekseevsky Monastery (Uglich) is also known for the fact that on its territory in 1681 a small temple of the Beheading of John the Baptist was erected. In the 19th century, during the restoration, the porch was altered. At the same time new paintings were painted on the church. Today only on the west side of the porch you can see the original decoration, which, in turn, is considered one of the best in Uglich.

The church was built by Hegumen Lavrenty. Initially, was installed a large altar, consisting of two apsides. On the west side there is a porch and a porch. On the north side you can see the chapel of Theodore Stratelates and the Monk Arkady. In 1970, the church was restored, and in 1997 it again became a monastery.

Icon "The Goalkeeper"

If possible, it is worthwhile to visit the Alekseevsky Monastery (Uglich). The icons here truly have miraculous power. Here is the unique icon "The Goalkeeper". This is the image of the Mother of God, which holds a rod and rosary in its left hand, and a candle in its right hand.

The history of this icon is amazing. Until 1894, she was in the pantry, until the St. Petersburg merchant arrived in the monastery, who was seriously ill. He told the rector his dream, in which the Mother of God appeared to him and told him to go to Uglich for healing. She said that there is her icon, where she prayed, the merchant must find health. The abbot immediately ordered to find this shrine. At his insistence, the icon was found and solemnly transferred to the Assumption Church at the monastery. After the prayers were raised before this icon, the merchant soon recovered. He generously repaid the Mother of God, framing the icon in silver and gold.

Today, this icon also serves as a refuge for those who with various ailments turn to the Mother of God for healing. According to statistics, since that time more than 40 people have received a miracle cure. Such amazing results glorified the Alekseevsky Monastery (Uglich). The shrines here are very powerful.

Icon of St Nicholas

At the beginning of the 20th century, the icon of St. Nicholas was donated to Athletic monks by the monastery of Athos. After the closure of the monastery in 1930, almost all the church property was sent to the museum. The remainder was destroyed or looted. But the icon of St. Nicholas was saved. The shrine was kept by pious women, who later handed it over to their adopted son Nikolai. He prayed for an image for many years, but one day he was forced to sell it to an antique store, because he was afraid of robbery. The store was ruined, and the young man never got his money. He was very upset and prayed tirelessly. In one of the pilgrimages, he visited the temple, in which he learned the image familiar from childhood. When Nikolay returned to Uglich and told Mother Magdalene everything, she asked for blessings from Archbishop Kyrill and went to the place where the icon was. It was one of the main shrines of the Moscow temple. It was with her that his recovery began. But on the reverse side of the icon was a note that the shrine belongs to the Alekseevsky Monastery. By the grace of God, the cost of the image was reimbursed, and on August 24, 2005 the icon of St. Nicholas was transferred to Uglich.

The development of the monastery

Today the monastery thrives in every sense of the word. Previously, the territory was inhabited by many pilgrims. Now they were given apartments on the petition of Mother Superior Magdalene. Thus, the eastern corps and the refectory were freed. In 2007, the monastery wall was rebuilt. The territory of the monastery is amazingly beautiful, as here are planted more than 1300 kinds of roses.

Education in the monastery

Thanks to generous donations, they were able to restore the orphanage. Today there are about 30 girls studying here. In addition to general education, pupils also receive music. Every girl here is treated, given her individual characteristics.

Sisters of the monastery regularly take care of people with disabilities. Here you can often meet people from nursing homes.

Sisters of the monastery gladly conduct excursions through the territory of the monastery. Thousands of pilgrims visit the monastery every year for various reasons. Most of them seek to seek help from the Mother of God before the miraculous icon "The candle is unquenchable." For special favor you can come to Alekseevsky Monastery (Uglich). Address: Yaroslavl Region, Uglich, ul. Sharkova, 27