I will be happy to tell you about the St. Petersburg Alexander Nevsky Lavra, which I highly recommend visiting during your visit to the Northern capital.
The more you learn about the history of this grandiose monastery, about the fate of its inhabitants, some of whom are now canonized, about the spiritual and missionary activities that are carried out here today, the more you admire it. And it is not surprising that every time I visit the monastery, I always meet both pilgrims and secular tourists (although, go figure who is who) from different parts of the world.
Let me remind you that we have two laurels in Russia. Holy Trinity Sergiev - in Sergiev Posad and St. Petersburg Holy Trinity Alexander Nevskaya. I was once asked what the word “lavra” means. Then I didn’t know what to answer, but now I think it’s worth explaining. In Greek it means “street”, and a large, central one. Gradually the word takes on the meaning of “city of monasteries”. By the way, laurel can only be male. And the word “monastery” itself means “to be secluded, lonely.” I invite you to enter this unique “Street” and get to know it.
How to get there
In the St. Petersburg metro there is a station “Alexander Nevsky Square”. You need to get there. The station has 2 exits (1) and (2) , but there is no big difference depending on which one you choose.
In front of you will be the round Alexander Nevsky Square, on which a monument to this saint is erected. We reach the Holy Gate (3), where the gate church and chapel in the name of the icon “Joy of All Who Sorrow” are located. We enter this gate and walk along the cobblestone embankment of the Monastyrka River (between two Necropolises) to the Annunciation Gate (4), entering which we find ourselves on the territory of the monastery.
Under No. (5) on the map I marked the location of its main Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Building complex
The architectural ensemble of the monastery was created in the 17th-18th centuries. It is characterized by features of Baroque and Classical styles. Design and construction were carried out with the participation of famous architects - D. Terzini, I. Starov, T. Schwertfeger, M. D. Rastorgueva. Residential and service buildings form a square around the courtyard. Each building has its own name, indicating its purpose - Metropolitan, Spiritual, Seminary, Sacristy, Library. There are towers in the corners. There are 15 churches on the territory of the monastery. On the bank of the Monastyrka River (formerly the Black River) a 2-story Annunciation Church (1724) was erected. It has a rectangular shape.
The top is crowned with an 8-sided dome. This is one of the oldest churches in the city built of stone. The interior is decorated with modeling (Rossi brothers), wall paintings (I. Nikitin, I. Vishnyakov), icons (G. Gzel). The crypt contains the tombs of many prominent people. Above the entrance to the monastery there is the Gate Church of Sorrow (The Joy of the Mother of All Who Sorrow). It was intended for artisans and traders serving the needs of the monastery. The attic position determined the modest size of the temple.
History of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra
Formation of the first St. Petersburg monastery and its receipt of lavra status
In June 1710, Russia annexed Vyborg, which helped secure the construction of young St. Petersburg. Peter arrives in his beloved city in July and decides to build the first monastery here. He chooses the place for the monastery himself.
According to the legend of that time, the Battle of the Neva of Prince Alexander took place here, as well as the battle of his son Andrei in 1301 with the Swedes. During the current Northern War, how could you not remind the same enemy “who’s boss”?
And, in my opinion, by Peter’s absolutely correct decision, on the one hand strengthening the patriotic spirit, and on the other – in some way having a sacred meaning for Russia, the monastery is named in honor of the “Life-Giving Trinity and the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky.” Now St. Petersburg has another heavenly protector, besides the Apostle Peter, in whose honor the city was originally named. (True, for some reason sometimes people think that it is named after Peter I). The date of foundation of the monastery is considered to be March 25 (according to the old style) 1713.
On that day, liturgy began to be served in the first wooden Annunciation Church of the monastery. Peter I wanted to see the monastery itself as an exemplary charitable, correctional, educational and medical labor institution.
It is clear that this king, brought up in the spirit of Protestantism, did not understand the true essence of Orthodox monasticism, which consisted not in external activity, but in prayer. Fortunately, his “project” did not come true. Of course, the monastery subsequently began to engage in public service, but its basis remained in spiritual work.
In 1720, its own printing house appeared here, which immediately published “Teachings on the Day of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky.”
In 1797 , by decree of Paul I, the monastery received the status of a monastery .
Relics of St. Alexander Nevsky
It is not surprising to me that the holy relics of Alexander Nevsky, the patron saint of the St. Petersburg monastery, Peter I decided to move from Vladimir to the capital under construction.
On August 30, 1724, they were solemnly placed in the tomb of the now stone Annunciation Church. In 1750, Elizaveta Petrovna generously gave them a silver shrine, a true masterpiece of church art in the Baroque style, made at the arms factories of Sestroretsk.
By the way, by the decree of the Synod of 1724, Alexander Nevsky, who adopted the schema with the name Alexy before his death, is still depicted on icons not in monastic, but in “secular” grand-ducal vestments. After the revolution in 1920, the holy relics of the heavenly protector of St. Petersburg were opened by atheists and transferred “for public viewing” to an absurd museum of religion and atheism. Elizabeth's gift - a crayfish - was taken by the Hermitage.
On June 3, 1989, through the efforts of Patriarch Alexy II, who was at that time Metropolitan of Leningrad and Novgorod, the relics returned to the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Now prayers are performed before them daily.
Slavic school at the Lavra - the birth of the Theological Academy
I will supplement the story with the story of the emergence of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, where I myself attend services, meetings with interesting people and scientific conferences. It turns out that she also owes her birth to the St. Petersburg Lavra! On October 25, 1721, a Slavic school was opened at the monastery for children of the clergy from 5 to 13 years old, so that they learned “reading and writing” according to the ABC book of Feofan Prokopovich.
In 1726, the school became the Alexander Nevsky Slavic-Greek-Latin Seminary and provided serious education.
In 1788 it was transformed into the Main Seminary, and in 1797 into the Alexander Nevsky Academy, which, by decree of Paul I, was classified as a higher theological educational institution.
In 1809, the Alexander Nevsky Academy became the famous St. Petersburg Theological Academy, from which a galaxy of brilliant church leaders emerged, some of whom are canonized today.
Lavra in the Soviet period
This time was a tragic test for the monastery and the monks. Many suffered the fate of martyrdom. Thus, on August 13, 1922, Metropolitan Veniamin (Kazan), who was canonized as a holy martyr, was shot in court on false charges. Today, at the Nikolskoye cemetery of the Lavra, a strict cenotaph monument has been erected in memory of him.
In July 1923, the new government took away all the premises of the Lavra from the monastics, leaving only the churches.
By 1936, all churches were closed. Secular organizations are located on the territory of the monastery.
In 1957, the Holy Trinity Cathedral was returned to the monastery. A parish is formed in it.
On June 3, 1989, the relics of St. were returned to the cathedral. Alexander Nevsky.
On September 14, 1995, the first monastery service took place.
On November 3, 1997, the cathedral received monastery status.
Only in April 2000 did the Lavra finally get all its premises back.
2013 _ was marked by celebrations on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.
Choice of location and name of the monastery
The place chosen for the construction of the monastery and the dedication of the monastery to the holy prince Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky had historical significance, and this was explained by the fact that, as it was then believed, on the site of the monastery, the Novgorodians defeated the Swedes in the Battle of Neva in 1240. However, the famous battle took place further up the Neva, where a wooden church was built in the 16th century to commemorate the victory over the Swedes. However, the legend existed, and perhaps it was based on a completely different battle - which took place on May 18, 1301, when the Novgorodians, led by Alexander’s son, Prince Andrei, also defeated the Swedes and destroyed the Landskrona fortress built by them in 1300, which stood not far from those places (Okhtinsky Cape) where the Alexander Nevsky Lavra is located.
Despite the above, if we take into account that the monastery was planned to be built during military operations in the fight against the Swedes for possession of the mouth of the Neva, and on June 13, 1710, Vyborg was taken, then the historical connection with the name of the monastery is undeniable.
Routes around the monastery
Architectural ensemble
Many names of great masters are associated with the construction of that wonderful artistic and architectural ensemble of the Lavra that we see today: architects, architects, icon painters.
The original design of the monastery was created by Domenico Trezzini.
It is not surprising that during the era of wars the monastery was considered as an additional outpost of the St. Petersburg south-east. The architect’s task was to competently and harmoniously combine the spiritual, artistic and strategic components of the monastery.
By the way, the famous Nevsky Prospekt, along which guests of St. Petersburg (and us local residents) now love to wander, should have started from the Lavra. Hence its name, adopted in 1781. True, it has been transformed many times from the “Perspective Road to the Nevsky Monastery” and “Nevsky Perspektiva”, etc., to the modern sound of “Nevsky Prospekt”.
Previously, the temple was the heart of any settlement in Russia, be it a small village or the capital. So the Lavra becomes the spiritual center of St. Petersburg, and the prayers offered in its churches become the breath of the city, its pulse.
Her wondrous beauty still impresses us today.
A detailed list of all objects of the architectural ensemble of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra and their history can be found here.
From the Saints to the Annunciation Gate
The entrance to the Lavra is separated from the round square on which the monument to Alexander Nevsky stands, and into which Nevsky Prospect itself abuts, by the front Holy Gate with the gate church located above it.
It was illuminated in July 1786 in the name of the icon “Joy of All Who Sorrow.” At first, this small temple was a parish for craftsmen working in the monastery and grain producers. In 1904, a Latvian parish was opened here, where services were held in the Latvian language (existed until 1918). In Soviet times, the premises were taken over by Osoaviakhim, and then by the management of the sculpture museum. Today the temple has regained its true spiritual purpose. I highly recommend going up there. You will find yourself in an unusually bright, heavenly atmosphere created by its restorers.
Prayers are held here on Wednesday and Friday. To the left of the gate arch is the chapel of the Sorrowful Church, consecrated in 1997, along with the church bench. Let's enter this Holy Gate and head along the cobblestone street (wear comfortable shoes) to another - the Annunciation Gate, decorated with mosaic icons in the Byzantine style.
While you walk this distance, passing the bridge over the Monastyrka River with its eternal owners - pigeons, you are already tuning into a special tone and completely disconnected from the bustle behind the monastery fence.
By the way, on this route you can visit necropolises, which in Greek means “cities of the dead.” I will write about them in a separate section. So, you and I entered under the arch of the Annunciation Gate and found ourselves directly on the territory of the monastery.
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Let's head straight to the magnificent Holy Trinity Cathedral. A detailed history of its creation can be read here.
On both sides of the entrance there are church shops where you can buy candles, icons, jewelry and literature, as well as submit prayers. By the way, if you need a headscarf, you can borrow one here for free. Let us venerate the relics of the holy noble prince and other saints, 79 pieces of whose relics are in the new shrine.
To the right of the shrine is a beautiful image of Christ written by the hieromartyr Metropolitan Seraphim (Chichagov). This most talented person was amazing, possessing not only a bright mind, deep scientific knowledge, but also an artistic gift. I really love the wonderful miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, located to the left of the altar, which is called the Neva Quick to Hear. The history of this icon is very interesting. She is rightfully considered a particularly revered image in the monastery and is a copy of the Athonite “Quick to Hear”, located in the Dokhiar monastery. True, here the Mother of God is depicted without the Child. This icon was painted on Mount Athos and brought to Russia in 1877 by Russian hieromonks Athanasius and Barsanuphius.
Initially, it was located in the Alexander Chapel and miraculously was not damaged during the fire that happened there. It was possible to save the icon during the fight against God, which was primarily facilitated by the already mentioned Metropolitan Hieromartyr Veniamin (Kazansky). The shrine moved to different temples. During the blockade, she was in the Prince Vladimir Cathedral, where the miraculous Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was also preserved. In those terrible days of war, the inhabitants of the heroic city found spiritual support here. After all, the very name “Quick to Hear” meant a quick answer to prayers and aspirations. After the transfer of the Holy Trinity Cathedral to the church, in 1958 the image was transferred to it. In 2005, it was decided to rename this icon “Neva Quick to Hear”.
Of course, all the icons and relics of the cathedral are sacred. I really like stopping at the wooden sculpture of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, which is located on the right side not far from the entrance. Some amazing warmth and kindness emanate from her. The icon first appeared in the forest near the village of Ilyeshi at the end of the 18th century. Now the Elijah Church is being restored there. The site of the miraculous appearance of the icon has been cleared and marked with a memorial cross. Every year, the local abbot, reviving ancient traditions, takes this image from the monastery on the eve of the feast of Elijah the Prophet, with which a religious procession is then carried out through the churches of the Gatchina and Volosovsky districts.
After which, on September 10, the icon solemnly returns to the Lavra.
When you walk around the cathedral, you understand that every icon here is inextricably linked with the history of Russia. That is, it is simply impossible to perceive the church separately from our state, as was once enshrined in the Bolshevik decree.
Here even foreigners, usually noisy and fussy, somehow become quiet and walk around with a reverent expression on their faces. After we have visited the main cathedral of the monastery, you can visit the necropolises and cemeteries.
Necropolises and cemeteries
I promised to talk about the Necropolises of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, which preserve the memory of many worthy people of Russia’s past. We will move according to this map.
Immediately at the exit from the Holy Trinity Cathedral in front of you is the Cossack cemetery or the Communist site (1).
The first name was obtained as a result of the burial here, on the site of the former parterre garden, of several Cossacks who died in 1917 during the dispersal of the Bolshevik demonstration. The cemetery took on official status in 1919. It becomes the second most important “necropolis of the Bolsheviks” after the Campus Martius.
If you go around the cathedral on the right, you can go to the Nikolskoye cemetery (2) , so named thanks to the Nikolskaya Church (architect G.I. Karpov).
It is here that the cenotaph of Metropolitan Veniamin is located, as well as the graves of many prominent public and church figures. I always go to two of them - to the burial place of Metropolitan John (Snychev) and a wonderful man, confessor of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, with whom I myself once had the good fortune to talk personally - Archimandrite Eliazar. There are always fresh flowers here.
Also at the Nikolskoye Cemetery are the graves of Lev Gumilyov, Mamin-Sibiryak, Ivan Goncharov, Baron Nikolai Wrangel, the designer of the first Russian car, Peter Frese, and many other famous people in Russian history.
Let's return to the path running between the Holy and Annunciation Gates.
If you cross the bridge (after feeding the pigeons) and move towards the exit, then on both sides there will be two more Necropolises. We will visit the famous Lazarevskoye cemetery (3) or the 18th century Necropolis - the most significant in St. Petersburg.
Imperial consent was required for burial on its territory.
The Tikhvin Cemetery (founded in 1823) and the “Necropolis of Art Masters” created here by the Soviet government (4) store not only the graves of famous cultural figures under their unique tombstones.
When you come here, you sadly remember that in addition to the famous names that can be read today on the plaques of the monuments, there were a lot of other burials that “did not fit” into the plan for creating this Necropolis.
Detailed information about all Lavra Necropolises is here.
I will write about entry prices and visiting times in a separate section below.
Monuments
- Monument 2,000 years from the Nativity of Christ. Opposite the Holy Trinity Cathedral is this seven-meter monument by sculptor E. P. Solovyova. (1)
On April 18, 2001, it was solemnly illuminated by the abbot of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra, Bishop Nazarius of Kronstadt.
- Monument to those who suffered for the faith of Christ. (2)
On the winter day of memory of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky, December 6, 2005, in the garden in the courtyard of the Lavra, a monument also by E. P. Solovyova in the form of a cross inscribed in a circle was opened and consecrated. It symbolizes salvation through the sacrifice of Christ.
- Worship cross in the Metropolitan Garden.
The monument was erected on September 12, 2013 in the Metropolitan Garden in honor of the significant event of 2009 - the restoration of the connection between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Church Abroad, which was once interrupted for political and ideological reasons. Now, according to Bishop Mark, both of our Russian churches stand together before the throne of God. This is also the work of E. P. Solovyova. (3)
- Relief panel of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky. Opened on September 12, 2013 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Lavra. (4)
This bronze panel is located on the wall of the Prosphora building.
- Memorial plaque in the Metropolitan building of the Lavra, at the site of the fatal wound received on January 19, 1918 by the holy martyr Peter Skipetrov. (5)
- Icon with the Konevskaya Icon of the Mother of God. Covered on July 10, 2015. (6)
This two-meter stone icon case was made in the Lavra’s workshop under the direction of the isographer and restorer D. G. Mironenko. It is located in the backyard of the monastery. Around the icon case there is a resting place for pilgrims with a decorative pond and gazebos.
Museum of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra
The monastery has its own museum, which was created with the blessing of the vicar, Bishop Nazarius. It is located in the Lavra sacristy.
The exhibition contains exhibits telling about the three-century history of the monastery. Photographs and documents, icons, priestly vestments, church utensils and much more will appear to visitors. Detailed information about the creation of the museum is here.
Entrance is possible on Wednesday and Friday from 12.00 to 17.00 and by agreement through the Lavra pilgrimage center by calling 274-16-12.
Holy names
Many names of those people who are now canonized are associated with the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Here are some of them.
- Of course, first of all, we must remember the great blessed holy prince Alexander Nevsky.
- Also in this bright galaxy are St. Innocent, the first Bishop of Irkutsk, the Wonderworker (John of Kulchitsky), who was at one time a resident of the Lavra and received the rank of bishop here.
- Hieromartyr Metropolitan of Petrograd and Gdov Benjamin (Kazan).
- The Holy Reverend Seraphim of Vyritsky, once a brilliant Russian merchant of the 1st guild, and later a priest, a schema-monk, who repeated the feat of praying on the stone of Seraphim of Sarov during the Great Patriotic War.
His canonization took place in our time, in 2000. Today the river of believers to his chapel in Vyritsa is growing. In the fraternal building of the Lavra, in the premises of the saint’s former cell, today there is a small cozy church.
You can learn about other canonized saints, new martyrs and confessors of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra here.
Cossack cemetery
On the territory of the Lavra in the 18th – 20th centuries. Several burial places were set up. Monks, clergy, and townspeople were buried in the cemeteries inside the monastery. The most famous monastic necropolis is the Internal Alexander-Nevskoye Cemetery. It is also called Cossack. In memory of the Cossacks who died during the dispersal of the Bolshevik demonstration in July 1917. Historical documents record the official opening date of the necropolis - December 1919.
During the years of Soviet power, the name Communist Site was assigned to the place. The place was reserved for the burial of participants in the civil war, party functionaries, employees of internal affairs bodies and the Cheka. Since the 1930s, graves of famous scientists began to appear on the Site (N. Marr, B. Legrand, M. Basov, I. Grekov, S. Fedorov, etc.). The number of burials increased during the siege. Many prominent military leaders and heroes of the Great Patriotic War found their final refuge on the territory of the cemetery. Since the 70s In the necropolis, only the burial of urns with ashes after cremation is allowed.
Small architectural forms (tombstones, steles, sarcophagi, obelisks, etc.), widely represented in the cemetery, have artistic and aesthetic significance. In addition to secular ones, the necropolis contains the graves of ministers of the Orthodox faith. As a rule, they are marked with crosses. In 2005, a monument called “The Triumph of Orthodoxy” was erected on the territory of the Cossack cemetery. It glorifies the memory of people who died during the years of repression and anti-religious struggle. The monument was made according to the design of E. Solovyova. The overall plan includes almost 450 graves. According to historians, over 700 people were buried at the Cossack Cemetery during its existence.
Additional information about the Lavra for guests and pilgrims
Holy Spirit Center
The “Holy Spiritual” spiritual and educational center has been operating on the territory of the monastery for a long time.
Concerts, interesting meetings with cultural figures, artists and clergy, and the Nevsky Domes festivals are held here, where participants come not only from all over Russia, but also from other countries. A film lecture hall operates regularly, and there is a folk drama theater. I really remember the meeting organized by the Nikeya publishing house with the doctor and psychologist Federica von Graaf, who works at a Moscow hospice.
This amazingly courageous and warm-hearted woman wrote an amazing book, “There Will Be No Separation,” about how to survive the loss of loved ones.
The annual literary prize is also awarded here. Alexander Nevsky, solemn ceremonies and memorial evenings are held.
The center's schedule of events can be found here.
Sunday School
The Lavra also has a Sunday school, traditional for Orthodox churches and monasteries. In January 2022, her 20th anniversary was celebrated.
Children from preschool to high school age come here. And there is something for everyone to enjoy. After all, in addition to studying the Word of God, children are engaged in creativity, go on excursions (they even went to Finland and Jerusalem), and attend various clubs. It has its own church choir and theatrical preparations for the holidays.
On Sundays, children participate in the liturgy, which is usually held in the Church of Seraphim Vyritsky in the Brotherhood Corps. In the summer, a summer camp on Konevets Island is hospitably open to everyone.
I’ve been there and understand that children spend their holidays surrounded by beauty and truly pristine nature.
Church shops
The Lavra has 7 church shops (including porcelain, pottery and souvenir shops), where, if desired, you can buy candles, literature, jewelry, souvenirs, scarves, etc. You can find out about the location here.
Tea room and refectory
There are 2 wonderful cafes on the territory of the Lavra, where I often buy wonderful pastries. They are located on the right immediately at the entrance to the monastery.
This is the “Pilgrim” refectory and tea room. They follow the schedule of the church calendar. Therefore, on fasting days, appropriate dishes prevail. But the food is surprisingly tasty. You will also be pleased with soups, pancakes with honey, and pancakes with mushrooms. Both priests and guests of the Lavra love to dine here. The refectory is decorated with stained glass windows by icon painters of the Lavra itself.
In the tea room, visitors can see a real collection of decorative plates brought from different countries. There is also a collection of ceramic utensils made by Lavra masters.
The baked goods are always fresh: pies with buckwheat, millet, potatoes, cabbage, mushrooms, cheesecakes, cinnamon rolls, raisins and chocolate and much more. You can even make reservations here by phone. The prices are quite reasonable.
For example, pies cost from 40 rubles. , borscht - 80 rubles, a portion of pancakes with honey - 70 rubles, porridge - from 50 rubles.
Group services can also be organized here. Also for organized excursions, there is the opportunity to have lunch in the monastery refectory of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, which is located in the Feodorovsky building of the monastery.
Breakfast - 150 rubles. (100 rub); lunch - 230 rubles; dinner - 150 rub.
Opening hours: daily from 9:30 to 19:00 The teahouse is open longer - until 19:30
In addition, at the Lavra you can buy wonderful monastery bread, which is prepared with a special leaven.
The real test will be the queue. No, not its length, but those smells that you can’t resist. What could be more beautiful than the aroma of freshly baked hot bread! By the way, when we buy a loaf of bread here, we don’t always get it home intact. She somehow quickly disappears during a car trip.
Hotels
There are several hotels for pilgrims on the territory of the monastery. Places can be reserved here not only for organized groups, but also for independent pilgrims.
- “Dukhovskaya” is located on the 2nd floor of the Dukhov building (27 seats). It has its own refectory equipped with a microwave and kettle. 700 rub./day.
- “Feodorovskaya” is located in the fraternal Fedorovsky building (75 places). Amenities on the floors. Donation: 500 rub./day. (for foreigners 15 EUR).
By the way, it is here on the 2nd floor that the surprisingly cozy Church of Seraphim of Vyritsky , where on Sundays at 9 am the liturgy is served, and also daily at 8:00 and 22:00 the monks read the morning and evening rules.
- “Iris” is a recently opened comfortable hotel with one and two-room rooms. (from 2400 rub.)
All accommodation information is here.
However, I definitely want to note that entry to the monastery territory stops at 23:00. Therefore, if you suddenly stay in the above hotels and intend to attend some evening city events (concerts, performances), then correctly calculate the time of your return to the monastery.
Pilgrimage center
The Alexander Nevsky Lavra has also created and operates its own pilgrimage center. It is located immediately at the monastery gate (on the right) in the Prosphora building on the 2nd floor. Here you can book a tour not only of the monastery itself, but also to other holy places in Russia and abroad.
Information about all the center's services is here.
Opening hours: Mon. – Fri. From 10:00 to 18:00 (break from 13:00 to 14:00)
A friend of mine traveled through this organization to Crimea and was very pleased. If you come to St. Petersburg for a long time, and you have a desire to get acquainted with the monasteries and shrines in the vicinity of the city, then you can also book a one-day excursion trip here.
Schedule of services
Access for parishioners and tourists is open to the Lavra every day from 5.30 to 23. Divine services in the Holy Trinity Cathedral are held according to the established schedule:
- prayer service at 6 a.m. (Monday-Saturday)
- Midnight Office at 6.20 a.m. morning (Monday - Saturday)
- early liturgy at 7 a.m. (Sunday)
- late liturgy at 10 a.m. (Saturday – Sunday and church holidays)
- evening at 5 pm (Monday-Sunday)
In the Church of Theodore of Novgorod, late liturgy is celebrated at 10 a.m. (Monday-Friday) and evening service at 5 p.m. (Sunday-Thursday). The service (liturgy) in the Gate Church takes place at 7 o'clock. mornings from Monday to Saturday.
Visiting time
Alexander Nevsky Lavra
Entrance to the territory is possible from 5:45 to 23:00
Holy Trinity Cathedral
The cathedral is open from 5:45 to 20:00 (after the evening service, cleaning of the temple begins and access to the shrines may be limited). Entrance to the monastery territory and all churches is free.
Necropolises
You can visit the Cossack and Nikolskoye cemeteries freely . Nikolskoye is open from 9:00 to 17:00 (October - April), 9:00 - 19:00 (May - September), January 1: closed.
The 18th-century necropolis is open to the public daily from 9:30 to 16:00; The ticket office is open until 15:30
Necropolis of the Masters of Arts - daily from 10:0 to 16:00; The ticket office is open until 15:30.
Visit to one of the necropolises:
- adult ticket - 150 rubles;
- schoolchildren, students and pensioners of the Russian Federation - 50 rubles.
Visit to two necropolises:
- adult ticket - 250 rubles;
- schoolchildren, students and pensioners of the Russian Federation - 50 rubles.
Workshops
The Alexander Nevsky Lavra is famous for its craft workshops. They create not just objects for worship, but genuine works of art. Specialists working in the restoration workshop take care of the preservation of ancient iconography. It was organized at the end of the 20th century by order of Bishop Nazarius. Professor A. Krylov and icon painter D. Mironenko take an active part in the activities of the workshop. Under their leadership, a new image of the praying Alexander Nevsky, depicted against the backdrop of the Trinity Lavra, was created.
Craftsmen working in the art and jewelry workshop produce objects for worship. In their works, they use a variety of techniques - casting, enameling, carving, engraving. Jewelry is made of precious metals, precious and semi-precious stones, rare woods, and ivory. Since 2006, the Fedorovsky building of the monastery has housed a sewing workshop. Its employees develop the design of materials for church vestments and decoration of temple premises. Sources of inspiration are often museum exhibits and ancient illustrations.
Since 1974, the creative group of ceramists “Alpha” has been operating in Leningrad. She is creating samples of new porcelain products, incl. with religious themes. The group participated in the release of the Nevsky damask with a bas-relief of the saint, Easter souvenir eggs, and a series of Kizhi porcelain dishes. In 2007, “Alpha” was transformed into a separate art workshop, which is based on the territory of the monastery. The monastery also has its own pottery production. The pottery produces dishes, household items, and toys. Products are sold through the store. In addition, master classes are organized for visitors to the Lavra on weekends. Their participants learn pottery skills.
At the end of the 90s. 20th century An icon workshop was organized at the monastery. She specializes in the creation and restoration of frames for storing icons. Masters also provide consultations on the correct arrangement of the iconostasis at home. Printing and graphic arts occupy a special place among the monastery workshops. Its main products are lithographs, linocuts, and etchings. In the process of work, ancient hand printing technologies are used. The illustrations have high artistic value. They are published in small editions and are collector's items.
Bells ringing over St. Petersburg
I tried to tell you about a wonderful place - the spiritual heart of the Northern capital - the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, which I myself love very much.
A special feeling arises here in the winter twilight, when the bells call you to the all-night vigil.
You walk along the paths of the park, called the Communist Square, and previously called the parterre garden, and you understand that here, in close proximity to the noisy Nevsky Prospekt, you are completely removed from all this fuss. There is only the eternal sky, the singing of bells and a beautiful temple, in which you will now light a candle and again feel the loving, warming gaze of the Mother of God coming from her wondrous icon “Neva Quick to Hear”. Probably, it is moments like these that help us become a little kinder and finally hear the voice of our own hearts.
