Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery
Savvino-Storozhevsky Orthodox Monastery is located on the high bank of the Moskva River, 2 km from Zvenigorod, surrounded by the Central Russian forest landscape. Parishioners and pilgrims come here for services, excursions, under its shadow spend the weekend. This is a place of miraculous power and peace of mind, where worldly vanity does not reach. Staying in Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery nourishes spirituality, fills the heart with faith.
Video: Savvino-Storozhevsky Orthodox Monastery
Contents- General information
- History of Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery
- Architectural ensemble
Activities of Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery - Zvenigorod Museum-Reserve
- Practical information
General information
Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery is an active monastery. It belongs to the Orthodox Moscow diocese. The abode rises on the mountain Storozhi. Monks and restorers managed to recreate the splendid appearance of the XVII century and breathe new life into the sanctuary, preserving authentic Orthodox traditions.
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In the sacred house in the name of St. Sava people come for peace and answers to the questions of existence. The life-like iconography gives the impression of being united with the saints in prayer. Open your heart and love will enter there.
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History of Savvino-Storozhevskiy Monastery
The foundation of the monastery in 1398 is connected with the personality of the Monk Savva – the spiritual adviser of Prince Yuri Dmitrievich. The latter persuaded the clergyman to move to the Zvenigorod appanage and received a blessing for the construction. The erected temple simultaneously served as a watch post on the western border of the Moscow principality, warning of the approach of the enemy.
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Gradually the house of prayer grew: new lands joined, monks arrived, the wooden church was reconstructed into a stone cathedral. The sacred place was visited by Ivan the Terrible and his wife Anastasia Romanovna, Fyodor I Ivanovich.
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Church of the Life-Giving Trinity
The Trinity Gate Church was used by the Tsarina as a house of worship. It was built in the 17th century, decorated with paintings of later times. It is one of the last buildings of the tent type. The altar from the ancient chapel of Sergius of Radonezh was transferred to it.
.Brotherhood buildings
Brothers’ quarters are, in other words, a dormitory. During the period of active expansion, 300 monks lived in the Savvino-Storozhevskaya monastery. The lower floor with the novices’ cells and the “gulbishche” – a gallery where the doors of the rooms go out.
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Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich
The palace is a classic example of Russian civil architecture of the XVII century. Its construction began in 1650 and lasted more than 10 years.
The palace is a classic example of Russian civil architecture of the XVII century.
A long building 100 meters long was erected on a complex relief. Later the second tier with an enfilade of rooms and 13 ovens was added on, which in the XIX century was given to the abbots and vicar of Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery. Emperor Alexander II and his children stayed here.
.After restoration, which partially preserved the furnishings of the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, the palace was equipped with a reception room for the vicar, classrooms, library, monastery shops.
.Transfiguration Church
Transfiguration Church was built in the 1650s. It is the largest church on the territory of Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery.
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The church is built on a high basement, so that from it there was an exit to the refectory. The window caps are lined with multicolored tiles with figures of two-headed eagles, a large carved iconostasis with rare ancient icons is installed.
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In Soviet times, the sanctuary housed the club of the military sanatorium, the interior decoration has changed a lot.
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Belfry
The 19 bells of the ensemble of the famous Savvino-Storozhevskaya Belfry spilled euphonious melodies throughout the area, served as inspiration for musicians, singers, artists, and made a deep emotional impression.
The central bell was the 35-tone bell of the famous Savvino-Storozhevsky Belfry.
The central one was a 35-ton blagovestnik, which became a symbol on the coat of arms of Zvenigorod. Its harmonious thick sound was considered one of the best in the world. It was cast in a pit in the cathedral courtyard in 1667-1668, but it could be raised and fixed only a few years later. Unfortunately, the masterpiece of the art of casting could not be preserved: when trying to evacuate it at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the bell got stuck in the beams and had to be lowered with the help of explosive devices. The rest of the bells were requisitioned for remelting.
.Only a trophy clock bell made by Dutch master Kilian Wegevart remained intact and has survived to this day.
.New annunciators, including the main bell weighing 37 tons, were cast at the factories of Moscow, Voronezh, Kamensk-Uralsky.
.The belfry, the tallest building of the monastery complex, stands out in red against the background of white stone. Four asymmetrical towers covered with stone tents form a multi-level structure. Inside there is a church of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The transition between the tiers is made by steps in the wall thickness. The front porch of the belfry simultaneously serves as a portal to the refectory chamber.
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Refectory Chamber
Treasury Building
The Treasury Building is located to the right of the main entrance, closer to the outbuildings. The retinue of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, who accompanied him on his travels, stayed there. Later the building was used as living quarters for the tutors of the theological school, and then for the generals of the military sanatorium.
.Outposts
The territory of the residence is surrounded by a stone fence with six towers. This is a real military fortification, the construction of which had a strategic purpose: Russia was preparing for war with the Polish-Lithuanian principality, and Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery was favorably located on the mountain and became an outpost on the western frontier of the Moscow kingdom. The keys of the city and gunpowder were transferred to the temple, and a guard unit, the “Savva cannoneers,” was stationed under the mountain.”
The walls of the fence reach 9 meters in height, their total length – 760 meters. The battlements are arranged in three rows: for upper battle, sole and cannons. Along the wall is a gallery for fusiliers, available for inspection as part of the tour.
.There are 6 towers with wooden roofs built at the corners (originally 7 were built): Krasnaya, South-Eastern (Vodovoznaya), Usova, Zhitnaya, North-Western, North-Eastern. The structures serve the economic purposes of the monastery.
.The Red Tower, which is actually white in color, is the most significant: the main entrance to the residence is located under it, important church ceremonies were held here, the Tsar’s train was welcomed, relics were carried through. The gate leads to the basement of the Trinity Church. In the wall is preserved ciot with the faces of St. Sergius and St. Savva, the vault is decorated with ancient paintings. The steps lead visitors to the courtyard of the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. In the structure there was a church in the name of Alexis, Man of God, but during the restoration it was not restored.
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Provision Tower
Activities of Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery
In the temple complex permanently reside 30 monks who have chosen their mission to serve the faith. They maintain order, pray, tirelessly study the divine laws and engage in socially significant activities. How does life go on at the holy house?
- Services are held every day: morning prayer service begins at 06:00, liturgy at 08:00, and vespers at 17:00. .
- Opened Savva Theological Courses, now remotely in online format. The program includes: Orthodox doctrine, the theory of the creation of the world, the Old and New Testament, and the history of church life. Graduates can teach in Sunday schools.
- In the care of the Lavra is an orphanage for orphans and children in difficult life situations. At first the boys lived in one of the buildings of the monastery, and in 2003 a building in Zvenigorod was allocated for the institution.
- Clergy conduct active anti-sectarian work: talks, publishing leaflets, periodicals. .
- Working library and reading room with a fund of 6500 volumes. .
Zvenigorod Museum-Reserve
The Zvenigorod State Museum-Reserve, opened in 1920, houses its collection in the most elegant building of the monastery, the Tsaritsyny Chambers. The exposition is devoted to the origin and development of the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, church painting and architecture. From the stories of caretakers and surviving artifacts visitors learn about the way of life in the 17th century, customs, history of the temples and Zvenigorod itself.
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The main fund of the museum has about 50,000 exhibits. The collection is constantly replenished: the institution seeks out historical treasures and acquires them at its own expense or receives them as a gift. The exhibition presents household items of the royal family and peasants: candlesticks, dishes, furniture, spinning wheels, handicrafts. A unique valuable iconostasis of the XVII century with 57 icons was returned to the collection. There are also later exhibits: clothes and shoes of the early XX century, embroidered towels, paintings and photographs. There is an exhibition “1812” with demonstration of Russian and French weapons of the Napoleonic Wars.
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The cost of the tour of the palace of the Empress – 200 rubles as part of a group. Without a guide to plunge into the heyday of Russia can be for a symbolic 80 rubles.
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Practical information
The monastery complex is open from 6:00 until the end of the evening service.
.The bathing area is available daily: in summer, from 7:00 to 22:00; in fall and spring, until 21:00, and in winter, until 20:00.
.Photography and videotaping are prohibited indoors. Cell phones are asked to be turned off before entering prayer buildings.
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The Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery has a Pilgrimage Service. Excursions are held every day, except Monday, from 10:00 to 17:00, on the routes: monastery, skete, Zvenigorod Kremlin.
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Church shop
The shop is located in the northwest tower, consists of several departments: jewelry, icons, souvenirs, books, audio and video materials, clothing (embroidered dresses, skirts, shawls). Here you can buy attributes of baptism and wedding: personal icons, crosses, brochures for communion. The church shop presents handicrafts from different parts of Russia.
.Where to eat
At the northern gate of the monastery there is a monastery cafe “Refectory” (not to be confused with the building of the same name within the walls of the monastery). The establishment serves fasting and ordinary Russian, European, home-cooked dishes, and serves real Russian pies.
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The cafe works from Tuesday to Friday until 19:00, on Saturday and Sunday – until 20:00. It seats 100 people, and with a summer veranda – 150 people. An observation deck is set up nearby.
.Where to stay
Here, on the north side of the complex, on Ratekhinskoye highway, 14, is the hotel “Storozha”, which belongs to the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. The cost of a 1-bed economy room is 2200 rubles, a 2-bed room costs 3300 rubles. There is an opportunity for a vacation for the whole family. Pilgrims are offered 6-bed rooms with three bunk beds for 1000 rubles per person. The price includes bed linen, bathrobe, bath accessories. The building is located in close proximity to the temple – you can always catch the morning service.
.How to get there
You can get to Zvenigorod from Moscow: by train from Belorussky railway station or by bus from the metro station “Kuntsevskaya”. Then by bus № 23 or № 51 you need to follow the direction of the village of Karinsky, get off at the stop “Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery.”
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Those who go by car, you need to move to the turn to Zvenigorod, further along the Moskva River towards the monastery to the sign “Pension “Zvenigorodsky””. Use the navigator to navigate to the address: Ratekhinskoye highway, 8.
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