Monasteries and churches in Moscow, where you can see significant Orthodox shrines: from the Cathedral of Christ the Savior to the Ivanovsky Monastery in Maly Ivanovsky Lane.
What else beautiful and original can you find in Moscow if you forget about the Kremlin, Red Square and the Tretyakov Gallery? Of course, ancient Orthodox churches. There are a lot of churches in the capital, but not every one of them becomes the object of tourist pilgrimages. It is worth talking about the main Moscow shrines, known throughout the world.
St Basil's Church
Almost any tourist begins his sightseeing in Moscow with Red Square and the Kremlin. Orthodox travelers should not bypass them either. There really is a lot of interesting things here.
First of all, these are temples and shrines that are located on the territory of the Kremlin. And the most famous of them is St. Basil's Cathedral.
It’s interesting, but many pilgrims and tourists do not enter this world-famous temple. Apparently thinking it was closed to the public. Actually this is not true.
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It has been active and open to believers since 1990. It also combines a working temple and a museum. This is one of the best examples of cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and a cultural institution.
So today people come here not only to enjoy the architectural splendor, but also to venerate the reliquary with the relics of the Holy Fool for the sake of St. Basil.
How to get there
History of construction
Saint Basil the Blessed
Relics of St. George the Victorious
The Holy Great Martyr George, George the Victorious, is equally revered by Christians of the Western and Eastern branches. As the heavenly patron of the Russian capital, he is depicted on the Moscow coat of arms.
According to legends that have reached us, George was a prominent military leader at the court of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. When the persecution of Christians began, the saint appeared before the ruler, distributing all his property to the needy. He did not renounce his faith, endured seven days of torture, overthrew idols and cast out demons in the temple of Apollo. Diocletian ordered the execution of the great martyr.
Canonical images of Saint George in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions usually recall the miracle of his victory over the Serpent. Particles of the relics of the holy great martyr are carefully preserved in churches in many cities around the world. In 1998, the relics of St. George the Victorious were delivered to Moscow as a gift from Diodorus, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Now they are on Poklonnaya Hill, in a temple consecrated in honor of St. George the Victorious.
Danilov Monastery
When planning a trip to the shrines of Moscow, you should definitely look at the temple, from which the Orthodox life of the future capital began. That is, to visit the oldest monastery of Belokamennaya. Fortunately, it is also located near the Kremlin.
The most ancient monastery in the capital is the Danilov Monastery. It was founded in the 13th century. At the same time, our Moscow also found a strong spiritual patron - St. Daniel of Moscow. He is known not only for having built the first monastery in the city.
Daniel is considered one of the greatest princes in the history of Rus'.
The relics of this saint, of course, are kept here in the Danilov Monastery, and are considered the main shrine of the monastery. And among believing Muscovites, Saint Prince Daniel is usually called the master of Moscow.
How to get there
Venerable Daniel of Moscow
Shrines of the Danilov Monastery
Relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Nicholas the Wonderworker, Saint of Myra, is canonized by both the Catholic and Orthodox churches. He was the archbishop of the city of Myra (Eastern Roman Empire) in the 4th century AD. During his lifetime, he performed miracles of healing and resurrection, pacified those at war and was an intercessor for the innocent.
After his death, the remains of the great saint became the most important relic, which, during the years of the Turkish invasions, Italian sailors stole and transported to the city of Bari. There, as well as in Venice, the most complete remains of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker are kept.
Over time, particles of his relics were distributed among many cathedrals and churches, including Orthodox ones. Now these particles are in twenty-five churches in the capital. These include the Danilovsky Monastery, the Novodevichy Convent and the Church-Museum of St. Nicholas in Tolmachi.
Pokrovsky Convent
There are few shrines that so many people want to visit as the relics of the Matrona of Moscow. Many thousands of pilgrims every day strive to venerate its remains, which are located in the Intercession Monastery on Taganskaya Street.
The line to the monastery forms every day, both in the heat and in the bitter cold.
Which is not at all surprising, Blessed Matrona is one of the most beloved and revered saints in modern Russia. She was called a saint during her lifetime, from childhood.
Matrona was born completely blind, and in her youth her legs were completely lost. At the same time, God rewarded her with the gift of spiritual vision, and also with an incredibly powerful gift of healing. She helped hundreds of people during her lifetime and continues to do so after her death.
Usually the queues start from the entrance to the temple. The first of them leads to the street icon of the holy old woman, and the second to her relics. The main image of the blessed one is located on the outer wall of the temple, directly opposite the entrance gate.
How to get there
Blessed Matrona of Moscow
Shrines of the Intercession Monastery
Holy springs of Moscow
The capital of Russia has more than 25 holy springs on its territory and the territory of the region.
Holy springs of Moscow:
- source of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Kolomenskoye (heals many physical and spiritual diseases);
- healing spring in the Bitsevsky forest park;
- spring "Kadochka" in Kolomenskoye, according to legend, water from the spring can heal from infertility;
Holy spring "Kadochka" in Kolomenskoye - holy spring of the Rudny Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary (helps to heal from many serious diseases).
Read about holy springs:
- Holy spring in the village of Tashla
- Holy spring of David of Serpukhov
- Source of Seraphim of Sarov in Diveevo
Important! In the current environmental situation, Orthodox clergy recommend consecrating water from sources in church before drinking it!
Sretensky Monastery
Another temple, without which the story about the shrines of Moscow would be clearly incomplete, is the Sretensky Stavropegic Monastery. This monastery was founded back in the 14th century by the eldest son of Dmitry Donskoy, Prince Vasily I.
The monastery is located in the very center of Moscow, on Bolshaya Lubyanka Street. In terms of size, the Sretensky Monastery is the smallest in the capital.
The same cannot be said about its significance in the history of Russian Orthodoxy.
Despite the huge number of churches and monasteries in the capital, none of them has such a deep connection with the history of our country as Sretensky. It is thanks to its past that this monastery is growing more and more beautiful. We can say with confidence that it is one of the most beautiful and visited in the capital.
How to get there
History of the Sretensky Monastery
Shrines of the monastery
Cathedral of Christ the Savior
The difficult fate of the cathedral, demolished in 1931 (and rebuilt 60 years later), is associated with the “curse of the nuns.” According to some sources, during the first construction of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in 1883, in honor of the victory over the Napoleonic invasion, among other buildings in the area, the Alekseevsky Convent was demolished. For this reason, the chosen location was considered unfavorable for a long time. The House of Soviets, designed on the site of a temple blown up by the Bolsheviks, was destined to remain in the plans due to the outbreak of war. And in 1956, the Moscow swimming pool was built here. The decision to rebuild the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was made at an Orthodox referendum in 1989, and 10 years later the first liturgy was celebrated in the cathedral. Location: st. Volkhonka, 15
Where to stay for a pilgrim in Moscow
There are thousands of different hostels and hotels in Moscow that will gladly welcome travelers to holy places. However, there are hotels that specialize specifically in pilgrims and are partners of the pilgrimage center of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Here is their list:
- Universitetskaya (on Vorobyovy Gory);
- Pokrovskaya (on the territory of the Pokrovsky Convent);
- Danilovskaya (near the Danilovsky Monastery).
Hotel Universitetskaya
Hotel Danilovskaya
Old Lavra Hotel
Useful services for travelers
Flights
Train schedule
Bus schedule
Excursions
Accommodation
Shrines of Moscow
The capital of Russia is one of the main ancient cities of the country, on whose territory many holy places are concentrated.
Temple of Sergius of Radonezh
The Kiy cross is a duplicate of the cross of Jesus' crucifixion. Inside this shrine, located in the Church of Sergius of Radonezh, more than 400 pieces of holy relics are hidden. The cross itself is made of cypress wood, decorated with precious stones and gold.
Temple complex of St. Sergius of Radonezh
Pilgrims from all over the country come to this shrine to ask for help in any troubles; by touching the Cross you can gain not only spiritual strength, but also physical strength.
Location address: Moscow, Krapivensky lane, 4.
Holy Trinity Monastery
The miraculous icon of St. Panteleimon and his relics is kept in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ.
Shrines help believers in healing various diseases. During his lifetime, Saint Panteleimon was a Christian doctor who helped using the power of Jesus Christ.
Location address: Moscow, Sokolnicheskaya square, 6
Holy relics of the Venerable Elder Matrona
All Orthodox believers know Saint Matrona; she helped ordinary people during her lifetime and after death she continues to work miracles. You can contact her with any problem or pain. People from all over the world come to venerate her holy relics, and there is always a huge queue.
Location address: Moscow, Taganskaya street, 58.
Assumption Cathedral of the Mother of God
The cathedral houses within its walls one of the most ancient shrines of Christianity - the Nail of the Lord, one of those nails with which Jesus was nailed to the cross.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Kremlin
The shrine helps pilgrims to be strong in their faith. According to legend, it is believed that the places where the Nails of the Lord are kept are hidden by God from epidemics and wars.
Location address: Moscow, Cathedral of the Assumption of the Mother of God, Kremlin.
The miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Vladimir”
The Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God is considered a symbol of Russian Orthodoxy. Pilgrims turn to her with any troubles in life, and pray to the image for order and prosperity throughout the country.
Location address: Moscow, Maly Tolmachevsky Lane, 9, St. Nicholas Church.
"Merciful" miraculous icon
The Conception Convent keeps within its walls the icon of the Mother of God “Merciful”. Couples and women who do not have children and trust in the will of the Lord in this matter pray to this image. The shrine has helped many people in need.
Location address: Moscow, 2nd Zachatievsky Lane, 2.
Chapels at Vvedenskoye Cemetery
The Vvedenskoe cemetery, founded in 1771 during the plague epidemic, is also called German or Inoverchesky, because many “Russian Germans” are buried there. Among the many crypts and tombstones, there are two chapels that especially attract the attention of believers. This is the mausoleum of the Erlanger family with a colored mosaic “Christ the Sower” (by Petrov-Vodkin), built in 1911-1914, and the tomb of Elder Zosima (Zechariah), who died in 1936. He was known as a miracle worker during his lifetime. The chapel at the monk’s resting place was erected only in 1996. Location: st. Cash, 1, plots No. 11-0, 16-1
Sophia's Tower, Novodevichy Convent
It is believed that if you place a note with a wish in the wall of the Naprudnaya (Sofia) tower of the Novodevichy Convent, it will definitely come true. The mystical place has historical implications: it was here that the future Tsar Peter I imprisoned his sister Sophia, having won the competition for the throne. The miraculous power of Sophia's Tower became widely known about 10 years ago - after one of the publications in the Moscow press. Those who want strong family relationships, love and healthy conception strive for the Naprudnaya Tower every day, believing in the participation of the sufferer Sophia in their destiny. Location: Novodevichy proezd, 1
