Conception Monastery. Conception Stauropegic Convent: how to get there

Location of the convent

Today, many people visit the Conception Monastery. Every second person knows how to get there. The monastery is located in Khamovniki, not far from the Moscow River, at the address: 2nd Zachatievsky Lane, building 2. The nearest metro station to the monastery is Park Kultury. Then you can get to the monastery by trolleybus No. 31, stop – Ul. Dmitrievsky.

The picturesque place near the reservoir is a kind of halo of a Russian shrine, which has delighted humanity with its extraordinary beauty since the 1360s. The ancient Zachatievsky stauropegic convent, which has survived to this day, reminds us how important the spirit and faith of people are, carried through the centuries, despite various difficulties and adversities.

Historical background

Thanks to the efforts of Moscow Metropolitan Alexy, the Conception Monastery was built. At the request of the sisters who served with him, things moved forward in 1360. This institution is the very first convent of exemplary order, which was erected in Rus'. The Conception Monastery has always been famous for its strict observance of Orthodox canons and the piety of its nuns and nuns. Many residents of the capital nicknamed him Starodevichy, a name that remains with him to this day.

Since the first building was built of wooden beams, it could not survive the great fire in 1547. Most of the Orthodox monastery burned to the ground. Ivan the Terrible, the sovereign at that time, allocated additional land for the construction of a new church, but the serving parish did not abandon its deanship and gradually worked on restoring the buildings. Only in 1584, the monastery from the surviving community again grew into a revered temple thanks to the financial assistance of Emperor Fyodor Ioannovich, whose wife Irina Godunova suffered from infertility. In the hope of the birth of an heir, the couple will finance the construction of the most important architectural elements that filled the territory of the monastery.

The good deed in the form of a built temple yielded its result: after the consecration of the icon of the Mother of God, the holy monastery gave Irina Godunova a daughter. That is why today it is called the Conception Monastery.

This very pious establishment attracted the attention of representatives of a noble family, who, by virtue of their faith, renounced worldly goods and served God. A women's shelter for orphan girls was established in the monastery, who, growing up in the monasteries of the temple, continued to serve it even after reaching adulthood. Strictness and order always reigned within the walls of the Orthodox institution, which were the lot of the smart managers Juliana and Eupraxia.

In 1612, the holy monastery of the monastery suffered from the Polish invasions, and in 1812 - from the invasion of French troops.

Architectural Orthodox tandem

By the beginning of the revolution in 1917, the Conception Convent consisted of four churches:

1. Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Built in 1807 by architects M. M. Kazakov and M. F. Kazakov. The style of construction was reminiscent of Baroque. Pinnacles, tent-like spiers, and pointed finishes testified to the romantic architectural mood of the creators.
2. Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God "Burning Bush". Built in 1706. At the base of the temple are the graves of the founders of the convent - the sisters of St. Alexius Juliania and Eupraxia.
3. Temple of the Descent of the Holy Spirit. Built in 1844-1850. architect M. D. Bykovsky.
4. Gate Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands. Built in 1696 by one of the most loyal nobles of Peter I - Andrei Rimsky-Korsakov. This temple was and remains to this day a baptismal and wedding temple.

During the revolution, the bell tower was destroyed, the convent as such was closed, and the parish was dissolved.

Today, the Gate Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands, the Temple of the Conception of St. Righteous Anna and buildings built after 1927 have survived, but have largely modified their original appearance. On the site of the destroyed churches, a school and a building to house street children were erected. The Orthodox Conception Convent was used by the Soviet authorities as a labor colony.

Conception Monastery in Moscow

Video: Conception Monastery

Basic moments

The convent is hidden in the silence of two Zachatievsky lanes, near the ancient Ostozhenka street, dotted today with elite pompous buildings. At the same time, the monastery remains part of the spatial, architectural, historical and spiritual unity that forms the Moscow Kremlin, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, and the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane. Finding yourself outside the walls of the monastery, where calm and tranquility reign, you can’t believe that the Garden Ring is noisy just nearby, and a 10-minute walk from here the townspeople tastefully relax in the Central Park of Culture named after. Gorky.

Over the course of almost 7 centuries of its existence, the monastery was repeatedly subjected to fires and devastation, but was invariably restored. It consists mainly of modern religious buildings that grew on the foundations of their ancient predecessors. The oldest temple preserved on the territory of the Conception Monastery is the Church of the Savior of the Image Not Made by Hands, built in the second half of the 17th century. The oldest buildings found during archaeological excavations on the territory of the monastery have been preserved and can be viewed in the underground museum of monastic history.

From the 16th century to the present day, the Conception Monastery in Moscow is known as a cult place where married couples who do not have children come in their last hope of having a baby. The belief that prayer at the miraculous icons of the monastery will fulfill your innermost dreams sometimes miraculously materializes. In any case, this is narrated in the chronicle of miracles that occur after prayers. The facts are meticulously recorded by the nuns of the monastery.

History of the Conception Monastery

The history of the Conception Monastery dates back to 1360. Then, in the area of ​​the future Khamovniki, with the blessing of Saint Alexy of Moscow and All Rus', a small wooden church was built, dedicated to the Monk Alexy, the man of God. He gave the original name to the first women’s monastery in Moscow, which began to be called Alekseevskaya. The founders of the monastery were the sisters of Metropolitan Alexy, who took monasticism under the names of Eupraxia and Juliania. The monastery, which was a monastic community with undivided property and a common economy, served as a model for the organization of other women's monasteries in the Moscow state.

The monastery also began to be called Zachatievsky after in 1514, Grand Duke Vasily III, praying for the birth of an heir, granted gold and silver for the construction of the first monastery stone cathedral church in honor of the Conception of St. Anne.

The heir to the Grand Duke, who later became famous under the name of Ivan the Terrible, was born only 16 years after the foundation of the temple, and his second wife gave a son to Vasily III. But no matter what fulfilled the desire of the Grand Duke - God’s providence or prosaic circumstances, the Conception Monastery firmly established the glory of the place where “God’s grace grants help in childbearing.”

In 1547, there was a big fire in Moscow that almost completely destroyed the monastery. Most of the sisters and the entire monastic household moved to the Chertolye tract. This land was given to the damaged monastery by Ivan the Terrible. Here, until the first quarter of the 19th century, the Alekseevsky Monastery was located, which gave way to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in the 30s.

The nuns who remained in the fire formed a small monastery, where they worked in the hope of better times. The monastery began to be restored by Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich in 1584. The Emperor visited the monastery more than once together with Tsarina Irina Godunova, still in the same hope of the birth of an heir. Until the beginning of the Time of Troubles, a cathedral complex was being rebuilt in the monastery, which included the Church of the Conception of St. Anne and the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with chapels and a bell tower.

In the 17th-18th centuries, the Conception Monastery was presented with generous gifts by royalty and noble believers; the nuns of the monastery were girls of noble blood, princesses and princesses. In 1696, at the expense of Andrei Rimsky-Korsakov, a nobleman of Peter I, an elegant gate church of the Savior Not Made by Hands was built, which became the home church of this famous family. In the basement there was a tomb of the Rimsky-Korsakov family, as well as the Shakhovskys, another noble family.

At the turn of the 18th-19th centuries, the appearance of the monastery changed significantly. The dilapidated Church of the Conception of St. Anne was dismantled, and in its place in 1805-1807 a new majestic Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with three chapels was erected, one of them in the name of the Conception of St. Anne.

In 1812, the Conception Monastery was ravaged by Napoleon's troops, but the nuns did not leave their cells. In the middle of the 19th century, an almshouse for elderly nuns with a small church built in the Byzantine style in honor of the Descent of the Holy Spirit was erected within the monastery walls. At the beginning of the next century, the monastery added another building - a new building with a spacious refectory and workshops where the nuns did handicrafts.

In 1922, the monastery shrines, icons, utensils and liturgical books were plundered by the Bolsheviks, but the monastery continued to operate. After 3 years, the communists closed it and expelled the nuns. Selfless women managed to save some relics, including the miraculous image of the Mother of God “Merciful,” which appeared in the Conception Monastery in the 18th century and was considered its main relic. They were moved to the Church of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane, and a small community of nuns who escaped persecution continued their monastic life here. In 1934, the authorities ordered the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the bell tower to be blown up, and a school building grew up on the site of the ancient church buildings. Other churches of the monastery were destroyed or rebuilt beyond recognition.

The revival of the Conception Monastery began with the onset of the 90s. Archaeologists, builders, restorers and nuns of the sisterhood at the Elias Church worked on its territory. In 1995, the Holy Synod returned the monastery to the status of a stauropegic monastery, and 4 years later the ancient shrine, the “Merciful” icon, was greeted here with honors.

Temples and shrines

The Conception Monastery is fenced with a high red brick wall. Behind it rise the gilded domes of the snow-white Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the monastery square, in front of the front gate, visitors are greeted by a sculpture of St. Alexis, installed in 2011 in memory of the founder of the ancient monastery. The author of the monument, sculptor Andrei Zabaluev, depicted the saint in bronze. The bishop's robe is skillfully decorated with stylized crosses in combination with floral patterns and looks extremely rich, like the vestments of a Byzantine emperor. In his left hand, the Metropolitan holds a model of the future main monastery church, his right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing.

Above the wide vaulted front entrance to the monastery rises the gate church of the Savior of the Image Not Made by Hands, built at the very end of the 17th century. This is the oldest surviving monastery building, although after repeated repairs and restorations its authentic appearance has undergone changes. Unfortunately, the paintings that decorated the walls of the temple until the mid-18th century have not survived to this day.

The elegant Spasskaya Church was built in the Naryshkin style, popular at the turn of the 17th-18th centuries, with elements of Russian patterning and decor made of red brick and hewn white stone. The interior decoration of the temple also corresponds to the external appearance. Here you will immediately notice the three-tiered baroque iconostasis, made in red and burgundy tones and decorated with gilded carvings. It was recreated based on archival materials and installed in 2013.

In the basement there is the burial of St. Alexis and the family tomb of the Rimsky-Korsakovs, whose house church the church was until 1774. The property of this family was located opposite the monastery. Then the temple became part of the monastery, christenings and funeral services were held here. It is known that the legendary opera singer Fyodor Chaliapin, who lived next door, baptized his children in the Spasskaya Church.

The dominant architectural complex of the Conception Monastery and its spiritual center is the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, consecrated in 2010. It was erected on the site of a grandiose cathedral of the same name, built at the very beginning of the century before last and which, in turn, became the successor to more ancient temples. The predecessor of the modern Nativity Cathedral, made in the Gothic style, was destroyed by the Soviet authorities in the 30s of the last century. When restoring the temple, they decided to abandon the Gothic forms, and on the excavated foundations of the 16th-19th centuries, a 48-meter majestic cathedral arose in the traditions of ancient Russian architecture.

The volumes of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, impressive with its harmonious proportions and impressive dimensions, are located on two levels. The building, rising to the sky, includes the main five-domed temple with a five-tiered iconostasis, effectively set off by snow-white walls, small one-story churches, a refectory, and chapels. Fragments of the walls of destroyed monastery buildings and one and a half hundred stone tombstones over the burials of the remains of representatives of noble noble families - the Vorontsovs, Bolotnikovs, Golovkins and many others - have been preserved underground. The dungeon also houses a museum of monastic history.

A particularly revered place is located in the Kazan chapel of the cathedral. This is an ancient tomb in which Abbess Juliana and nun Eupraxia were buried. The relics of the founders of the monastery are hidden in a hidden place for the time being, and the tomb is always crowded - believers come to her to pray for healing and miraculous help.

The miraculous relics of the monastery also include the belt of the Blessed Virgin Mary embroidered in gold on velvet, kept in the carved ark of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin. It was created by the hands of nuns and consecrated near the ark with the Honorable Belt of the Virgin Mary - a relic of the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos.

In the main church, it is impossible not to notice the main shrine of the Conception Monastery in Moscow - the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Merciful”, to which lines of pilgrims and laity are drawn every day. The prayer “For the Giving of Children” takes place precisely at this image. Happy mothers bring various gifts to him in gratitude for the birth of their long-awaited children: gold jewelry, precious stones, symbolic objects created with their own hands, coins - there are countless of them here.

The ancient icon, painted, according to legend, by the Cypriot Apostle Luke, is also called the “Hearer”. The image probably received this name due to the fact that the Mother of God is depicted on it with an open ear. You can lean towards him and tell him about your secret desire.

With a request for the birth of children, women turn their gaze to other monastery icons. It is believed that the images of “Kykkos-Merciful”, St. George the Victorious, as well as the Conception of Orthodox Anna have especially miraculous power - a separate temple is dedicated to this saint, located in the right wing of the new refectory building.

In the underground part of the cathedral, fragments of four previous monastery churches have been preserved. Here there is also a “cave” temple painted in red fiery colors in honor of the “Burning Bush” icon of the Mother of God.

In 2022, the restoration of the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, built in the mid-19th century, was completed. Before the revolution, there was an almshouse next to it. On Saturdays and Sundays, services are held in the temple.

Museum at the monastery

The underground museum of monastic history, located in the basement of the Nativity Cathedral, houses unique exhibits telling about the centuries-old history of the monastery. A series of small halls display artifacts found during archaeological excavations that have been carried out on the territory of the Conception Monastery since the beginning of the 21st century. Not only specialists, but also nuns took part in them. It was they, by the way, who unearthed a very original artifact - a mammoth bone.

Archaeological finds preserve the memory of different historical periods. The museum displays ceramic bowls from the Golden Horde period, fragments of dishes from expensive Chinese faience of the 14th century, fragments of Moscow ceramics from the 16th century, ancient coins, and crosses. Vessels for oil are also on display in the museum; it was thanks to them that the dates of ancient burials on the territory of the monastery were determined. Oil from the vessels was poured onto the body of the deceased, after which the empty cups were placed in the coffin, and each era was characterized by a special shape. In the museum you can see a 15th century monastic cell discovered during excavations. Jugs for water, oil, wine, and incense were found underground. It is also interesting to examine the model, created from several hundred three-dimensional parts, on which the Conception Monastery and its surroundings are depicted as they were in the 15th century.

Practical information

The doors of the Conception Monastery in Moscow are open daily from 07:00 to 20:00, when the evening service ends. During church holidays, operating hours may change. It is convenient to find out the exact schedule of prayers and services on the official website of the monastery - zachatevmon.ru. Here you can also find out how to sign up for excursions, which are usually conducted by the monastery’s servants. If you have not used a pre-registration, you can join an already formed and started excursion on the spot. You will be told how to do this at the candle shop of the main temple. Here you can leave feasible donations (payment for the excursion is not officially charged). Please note that photography is allowed here only with the blessing of the abbess; you should not take pictures furtively: the guards quickly identify troublemakers.

In the monastery shop you can buy church utensils, candles, and icons.

Pay attention to the beautifully designed books from the publishing house of the Conception Monastery. Curious tourists will be interested in getting acquainted with the detailed history of the monastery, and true believers will be interested in getting acquainted with a detailed description of the monastery shrines and stories about the ascetics associated with this place. There is also an art shop at the monastery where orders for original handwritten icons are accepted.

You can have a snack in the refectory; fresh pastries and drinks are always sold here. Walking around the Conception Monastery on the left, you will see a window where cabbage pies, cheesecakes with cottage cheese, bagels, buns are sold at very attractive prices.

There is nowhere to stay on the territory of the monastery, but very close to the monastery complex the hostel “Quiet Chas”, mini-hotel “Ostozhenka 47”, hotels Sleep at Home 2*, “Bagration” 3*, “Ambassadori” 4* offer their services.

How to get there

The monastery is located in the ring of the 1st and 2nd Zachatievsky lanes, at the address: Zachatievsky lane, no. 2. The nearest metro stations are “Kropotkinskaya” and “Park Kultury”. It’s more convenient to get to Kropotkinskaya. Following the signs, you need to go out onto Ostozhenka Street and move towards the expressive “House with a Glass” - the former apartment building of the merchant Filatov, a famous reveler, who ordered the building to be crowned with a symbolic inverted glass as a sign of renunciation of drunkenness. After 5 minutes of walking you need to cross an intersection with a traffic light, then walk about 300 meters to Zachatievsky Lane. 100 m from the turn into the alley there is the entrance to the monastery.

You will not find parking lots near the Conception Monastery in Moscow. By car, it is better to go here on one of the weekends, when you can park on the nearest streets. On weekdays everything here is busy with vehicles.

Revival and restoration of the monastery

Only in 1993 the Conception Monastery in Moscow will return to its original purpose - a Christian initiative. The remaining buildings today are more similar to residential buildings, but nevertheless have preserved many architectural tiles from ancient times. During the years of restoration revival, a new refectory building of the monastery and a cathedral were erected.

The monastery was restored thanks to donations from parishioners. Today this ancient relic is one of the most revered by Orthodox Christians, who tirelessly keep in order such a dear heritage of their ancestors.

In the basement of the newly built cathedral, it is planned to open a museum dedicated to the history of the construction of the convent. It is here that the oldest remains of buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries found during excavations will be exhibited.

Christian relics kept in the monastery

The main shrines kept by the Conception Monastery in Moscow are the relics of the nuns Juliania and Eupraxia, as well as the “Merciful” miraculous icon of the Mother of God. It was to her that Godunova prayed and, as a result, was gifted with the happiness of motherhood.

Ancient icons in the Conception Monastery create a favorable spiritual atmosphere that sets you up for a happy life.

Monastic shrines

The Conception Monastery in Moscow first of all became famous as the place where the Lord, through the prayers of the holy and righteous fathers Joachim and Anna, gives children. A huge number of childless spouses come here, many of whom receive what they ask for, contrary to all medical prescriptions.

Important! Funeral prayer for the Newly Deceased One to read at home.

On Saturday, in front of the old monastery image of Joachim and Anna, a prayer service is held for the gift of children. Happy parents thank God and the monastics, and also ask to baptize the baby.

Ark with a particle of the relics of St. right Lazarus

This amazing saint, friend of Christ, is especially revered in the Conception Monastery. The first service for the revival of the monastery (1993) was held on Lazarus Saturday. The first monastic tonsure was also performed on this holiday.

The first nun was named in honor of Lazarus the Four-Days. In one of the chapels of the new cathedral they painted an icon of this saint with the sisters Martha and Mary as a sign of gratitude and love for him.

In 2011, Patriarch Kirill was in Cyprus, where he was given a gift of an ark containing a particle of the relics of St. Lazarus. His Holiness blessed that this shrine be transferred to the Conception Monastery for safekeeping.

Almost daily prayers are held in front of the ark with a particle of relics. Many people resort to the holy righteous Lazarus, ask him for help and are heard.

This is interesting! Location of existing monasteries in Moscow.

Icon of the Mother of God “Merciful”

During the Soviet period, it was kept in the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane for almost 70 years. After

revival of the monastery was transferred in a solemn religious procession to the monastery walls, where Patriarch Alexy 2 met her at the gate.

This image is miraculous and, according to the testimony of the sisters, has already flowed myrrh several times.

The Mother of God "Merciful" is celebrated on November 25th. Major events, such as the foundation and consecration of the cathedral, bells, crosses, all took place on this holiday.

The sisters of the monastic community consider Her to be their Mother Superior, Intercessor and Heavenly Patroness, who rules everything here.

There are many other miraculous icons and shrines in the Conception Monastery.

Daily prayers are performed before them:

Recommendation! It is necessary to arrive at the prayer service a few minutes earlier before the start of the service so that there is enough time to submit a note about your health.

Miracles happening in the monastery

The most important miracles that happen in the Conception Monastery are the deliverance from infertility of many married couples who turned to the shrines of this monastery for help. Also, many believers were convinced of the healing properties of the relics regarding not only childbirth, but also deliverance from many other ailments.

The basis for miracles of healing, of course, is a strong faith in the help of God and all his holy faces. Famous throughout the entire district for its properties, the Conception Convent continues to amaze many with its miracles today.

Divine service “On the Giving of Children”

Prayer service

For a long time, hundreds and thousands of believers prayed in front of this holy image of the Mother of God, asking for the speedy continuation of the family line and the gift of heirs. The most powerful days for turning to the holy face of the Mother of God and Jesus Christ are November 12 and December 25.

To turn to the Mother of God with a request for the appearance of a healthy baby in the family, there is a special prayer; you can also ask for essential and desired things in your own words, spoken from the bottom of your heart. It is noteworthy that in this holy place you can make a request for the gift of a child to any icon.

The icon of the Conception of St. Orthodox Anna and the Great Martyr George the Victorious also has miraculous powers. Do not forget that if you have faith in your heart and ask sincerely, then the prayer will always reach the addressee and the request will be fulfilled.

Let us note that the convent is open not only to pilgrims, but also to ordinary tourists. There is something to see on the territory of the Conception Monastery in Moscow. Although all the buildings have been restored, history buffs will be able to trace the chronicle of the development of the community through the preserved ancient foundations of the buildings. Group excursions must be arranged in advance. All detailed information is on the website of the Moscow monastery.

Schedule of services in the monastery

Today, the convent performs its most important function, being a measure of the Orthodox faith of modern society. Finally, after many years of misuse, the divine monastery has returned to a Christian parish that serves the benefit of people.

On the territory of the Conception Monastery, divine services are held daily, in each individual church at the same time: morning - from eight o'clock, evening - from five o'clock. Every believer can become one of the participants in the services.

During its existence, the Conception Convent has made happy more than one woman who wanted to become a mother despite all the difficulties.

Monastery opening hours

• The monastery opens to visitors with morning services at 7:00 and closes its gates at 20:00.
• The main shrines of the monastery are available for inspection daily.
• If you wish, you can book a tour of the monastery territory. Tours are available by prior arrangement only. You can book a tour by calling the numbers listed above.
• Let your presence on the territory of the monastery become a blessing for the Holy Monastery - honor and respect the rules and purity of the shrines. If you wish, you can also contribute to the development of the monastery and experience the blessings of performing monastic obediences.

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Did you know? At the Conception Monastery you can also order requests for health or repose - for yourself and your loved ones. To do this, contact the chapel of St. Alexy or for a candle box in monastery churches

Important! Advice: because

The monastery is located in the center of Moscow, there are a lot of people here even on weekdays. Try not to give in to the bustle, and if you want to fully enjoy the atmosphere of the holy place, I do not recommend visiting it on weekends and holidays.