The history of the Iosif-Volotsky Monastery. Orthodox male stauropegial cenobitic monastery

The focus of this article will be the history and development of the Iosif-Volotsky Monastery. This ancient Orthodox monastery, which still operates today, attracts not only numerous tourists, but also pilgrims. There are no castles in the Moscow region. But they are successfully replaced by fortified, unapproachable monasteries. This is the object of pilgrimage and tourism. Iosifo-Volotsky monastery is built like a Kremlin. It is surrounded by powerful walls, capable of withstanding the months-long siege of the enemy. After all, the monastery was erected in dashing and chaotic times. But today monks of the monastery will cordially welcome pious pilgrims and curious tourists. Unfortunately, the Second World War caused great damage to the historical buildings of the monastery. But little by little it is being restored. Let's make a virtual tour of the Iosif-Volotsky Monastery, and at the same time listen to his interesting story.

The basis of the monastery

And it all began with the fact that a certain Ivan Sanin felt a religious vocation. He was tonsured in monks by Pafnuti Borowski and took the monastic name of Joseph. Sanin, who died for peace, devoted himself to the service of God and so succeeded in this, that he became the successor of the Monk Paphnutius in the hegumen. Having headed the community, Joseph tried to introduce in it a common-law charter. But the brothers categorically opposed this. Then the ascetic Joseph and another elder, Gerasim, went to wander through sketes and monasteries. But by 1478 Joseph returned to his native lands and asked permission from Boris Vladimirovich, Prince Volokolamsky, to found a monastery. In the Gravestone, compiled by Ivan Sanin's nephew Dosifei Toporkov, the following is said: "The place for the monastery was indicated from above. A column of dust whirled, and then lightning struck the earth from the blue. There the monk set up a cross. " So in 1479 the Iosif-Volotsky Monastery was founded .

Life of the Reverend

It is necessary to say a few words about the origin of the ascetic himself. Why did he have a conflict with the brotherhood and, most importantly, how did he find in the secular authorities all possible support (including material support) for the construction of the Iosif-Volotsky monastery? The Sanin family of nobles owned the village of Yazvishche and was in the service of the appanage prince of Volotsky, Boris. Ivan was not the only son. At the age of 20 he decided to take tonsure, and in 1459 went to the Tver Savvin Monastery. But the poverty of the monastery did not suit him, and he moved to Borovsk. This monastery under the leadership of Paphnutius was famous for its wealth. In this monastery the ascetic spent 18 years. The monastery previously belonged to the Novgorod diocese. Having caught the desire of Grand Duke Ivan III to seize neighboring lands, hegumen Joseph comes into conflict with the archbishop of Novgorod Serapion. Thus the monastery passes to the Moscow diocese, which causes the grumbling of the brethren. Despite the patronage of the secular authorities, Joseph decided to leave and establish his own monastery. He was the godfather of the son of Boris Volotsky, Ivan Ruzsky, and the confessor of the prince himself.

Iosifo-Volotsky monastery (Volokolamsky district, Moscow region)

The support of the secular authorities enabled the ascetic to rebuild the first wooden church of the monastery in just two months of the summer of 1479. Five years later it was replaced by a stone cathedral. The monastery quickly takes the form of a Kremlin surrounded by powerful walls. There was also a prison for the dissidents. Hegumen Joseph, erected by the Orthodox Church as a saint, was an ardent persecutor of the Judaizers and defended the legality of the possession of monasteries by worldly riches, including lands. He wrote that "... it befits heretics and infidels not only to condemn and hate, but also to betray them anathema and injure them, sanctifying their own hand ... The secular authorities must betray their cruel execution." Preserved messages of Joseph, discussing with non-possessors (in particular, with Nil Sorsky) that the monks are more likely to own lands and decorate the temples with gold. Hegumen died in 1515. Canonized in 1579. His followers, Josephite, in the seventeenth century, fought fiercely for the seizure of land and the enslavement of the peasants. In 2009, Patriarch Kirill announced to Joseph Volotsky a patron of business in Russian Orthodoxy.

Kremlin

The buildings of the Iosif-Volotsky Monastery are visible from afar. The golden domes of churches shine , peeping out from behind the white walls with loopholes. Around the monastery were broken ponds. They not only barred the path to a possible invader, but also replenished the refectory monks with delicious fish. The fortress walls of the monastery-citadel were repeatedly rebuilt. The monastery successfully withstood the siege of the Polish-Lithuanian troops in 1612. The walls are designed for both long-range and close combat. They are interleaved by towers. Each of them is a unique masterpiece of defense architecture. The most beautiful of them is Germanova. We approach closer and see before the entrance the monument to the Monk Joseph of Volotsk established in 2009. Behind him is a very elegant gate church, dedicated to the apostles Peter and Paul. It was built in 1679 in the Moscow teremkovo style. Let's go through the gate.

Buildings inside the monastery. Church of the Assumption of Our Lady

During the lifetime of the Monk hegumen of the Iosif-Volotsky Monastery, in 1486, a wooden stone church was built on the site. For her painting was invited to the famous and venerable artist Dionysius. When the fashion for the Moscow baroque came , this church was expanded and converted into a cathedral church. Its construction dates back to 1688-1696. This five-domed temple amazes with its beauty and grandeur. Do not rush inside. First go around the cathedral. Outside, its walls are decorated with tiles, which were made in the seventeenth century in the artist's studio Stepan Polubes. Now let's go inside the temple. The icons painted by Dionysius did not disappear. They can be seen in the temple. The true decoration of the church is a five-tier carved iconostasis, shining with gold. Information for the pilgrims: in this church the relics and reveries of the Reverend Joseph are exposed. In addition, the tomb of the princes of Volotsk, John and Fyodor is located in the monastery.

Other buildings on the territory of the monastery

Once a special glory used the bell tower of the Iosif-Volotsky monastery. It was built in 1511 and adjoined the old temple. Then the bell tower neatly "fit" into the walls of the new cathedral. They say that in clear weather from its summit one could see Moscow. But during the Great Patriotic War, Soviet troops, retreating, blew up the bell tower. Now its foundation is preserved and is waiting for its restoration. What should I visit in the Iosifo-Volovets Monastery? First, the already mentioned gate church. Next, look at the German tower on the other side. It is surrounded by Honey and White barns, as well as a monastic corps with cells. In the refectory of the monastery, Iosif Volotsky himself dined. According to the plan, this architectural structure repeats the Faceted Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin - the arch rests on one pillar. A beautiful corner tower deserves attention.

Celebrities of the monastery

Unfortunately, there were no great figures of culture or Christian associates among the brethren, except the founder of the monastery. But they languished in great quantity in the prison of the monastery. Among the most famous can be called St. Maxim the Greek, a writer and religious figure, also canonized by the Orthodox Church. Prince Vasily Patrikeev, who adopted the monastic name of Vassian, as well as Vasily Kuritsyn and Matvei Bashkin - diplomats in the service of the Moscow Tsar - also languished in imprisonment of Iosif Volotsky. They were objectionable to the Reverend because they openly talked about the need for non-covetousness. Their doctrine was declared a council in 1504 by the heresy of the "Judaizers." Volokolamsky Iosifo-Volotsky monastery became a prison for both Vasily Shuisky and for a prominent figure in the church schism Gerasim Firsov.

Burial places on the territory of the monastery

We have already mentioned that here is the burial vault of the specific princes - the brothers John and Fyodor Borisovich. In addition, after the monastery was transferred to the Church in 1989, the relics of Joseph Volotsky were found. His beliefs were transferred to the monastery from the museum "New Jerusalem" in the city of Istra. The Iosifo-Volotsky stauropegial monastery became the place of last reassurance for Metropolitan Daniel, exiled by Ivan the Terrible. Also here is buried the Novgorod Archbishop Theodosius. Some famous secular personalities also rest in the cemetery. This Malyuta Skuratov, head oprichnikov, and the landowner of the village Yaropolets N. Goncharova, who was a mother-in-law to Alexander Pushkin.

New history of the monastery

Once there was a large library in the monastery, and from 1777 to 1823 there was a school for priests' sons. But most of all the monastery was known as a place of imprisonment. Its isolated location, powerful fortress walls made it possible to use the monastery as a prison. The dungeons of the monastery contained not only the personal enemies of the Monk hegumen Joseph Volotsky. At the beginning of the seventeenth century, Polish was held here, and in 1812 - French prisoners of war. After the October Revolution of 1917 the monastery was closed. From 1922 until 1989 there was an orphanage there.

Iosifo-Volotsky Monastery: how to reach

This landmark of the Moscow region residents of the capital can visit for one day off. To get to the Iosif-Volotsky monastery is not so difficult, even if you take public transport for a trip. You need to get to the village of Teryaevo first. The Iosifo-Volotsky monastery is one kilometer away from it. Teryaevo can be reached in two ways. The first option: get on the train to Volokolamsk (Riga direction). From the railway station there is a bus number 31. They need to get to the stop "Valuiki" and then continue a kilometer north to the monastery. The second option is easier: to get to the railway station of Chisena, and then by bus number 23 to the village of Teryaevo. From the village it is necessary to go a kilometer to the west.