Holy Trinity Sergiev Lavra
Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra is located in Sergiev Posad, the country’s largest Orthodox monastery for men, reporting directly to the Patriarch. Founded almost 7 centuries ago, the monastery is currently home to about 200 monks. The complex of monastery churches, which in 1993 was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as an outstanding architectural monument of the XV-XVIII centuries, is open to pilgrims and tourists.
Video: Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra
” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” allowfullscreen> ContentsHistory of Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra
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Dormition Cathedral
According to the plan of John the Terrible, who was baptized in the Lavra, the representative Dormition Cathedral was to repeat the outlines of the temple of the same name from the ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin. However, the new building became not just a copy of the existing one, but an original work of art: the iconostasis was designed by the famous master Simon Ushakov, the frescoes were executed by outstanding representatives of the Moscow icon painting school. And here not without historical burial places: the tomb of Boris Godunov was preserved near the walls of the Dormition Cathedral.
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Information for tourists
Due to the favorable location of the Lavra ensemble is well viewed from different points of Sergiev Posad. The easiest way to get to the city from Moscow is by train from Yaroslavsky railway station or by bus from Shchelkovsky bus station. From Sergiev Posad railway station to the eastern entrance to the monastery is a 15-minute walk in a northwestern direction, from the bus station, located on the same line, the way is even shorter. Entrance to the compound is free, but it is customary to leave a small donation when visiting.
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Where to stay
The Lavra owns several inexpensive hotels for pilgrims on the territory of Sergiev Posad. Hotel “Voznesenskaya” with 4-8-bed rooms and facilities on the floor is open in 10 minutes walk to the southeast of the Lavra in a bright red building on the street of the same name. The flow of those wishing to settle in this hostel for only 300-350 rubles per day is always great, so places are booked at least a month in advance. About the same distance northeast of Lavra, on Krasnaya Armiya Avenue, is the Staraya Monastyrskaya Hotel, built almost 200 years ago on the picturesque shore of the White Pond. It is a classic hotel with all amenities with rooms from economy class to suites. In both buildings you can have a full lunch, satisfy your light hunger with fresh monastery pastries in the cafe right in the Lavra, during excursions.
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Religious services
The Orthodox canon forbids monasteries from conducting funeral, wedding, and baptismal rites, but in Lavra you can order requiem and requiem prayers for relatives and friends. Daily services for pilgrims are held in the Trinity Cathedral: Matins at 5-6 o’clock, then every 2 hours akathists to St. Sergius. The Dormition Cathedral takes on an additional load on holidays: at 5 p.m. the All-Night Vigil begins here, at 5:30 p.m. – the Early Liturgy, and at 8:30 p.m. – the Late Liturgy. During Easter and Lent, the schedule may change, so pilgrims are advised to check with the monastery’s telephone information desk beforehand.
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