Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra: history, description and opening hours

Unlike many monasteries that arose in the hermit habitats, the Alexander Nevsky Lavra was formed by the followers of the church. The name of this holy place is associated with important events in the history of Russia. In 1240 the Grand Duke and commander Alexander Yaroslavovich won a major victory in the war with the Swedes on the Neva River, for which he was named Nevsky. Later canonized by the Orthodox Church as the patron saint of Russia.

To date, the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra, whose opening hours are very convenient to visit, is a very popular place for both Russian tourists and foreigners.

The reign of Peter I

The official date of foundation of Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra is considered March 25, 1713 - the day of the first wooden Blagoveshchenskaya church lighting. According to historical information, the founder of the Nevsky Monastery was the famous emperor Peter I. It was he who in 1702 ordered to begin construction in the place where the Black River (the real name Monastery) flows into the Neva. Supervised construction and arrangement of the monastery Archimandrite Theodosius. Domenico Trezzini, an Italian architect and engineer, was engaged in the design of the main buildings. In his view, the future Alexander Nevsky Lavra was seen as a whole ensemble of stone buildings located between the Black River and the Neva. The implementation of Trezzini's plans was delayed for many years. During this time, in addition to the main monastic buildings, there was a whole town with houses, kitchen gardens, stables, a mill, a smithy. Here, the church school was opened, which was later converted to a theological seminary, and then to the academy. The relics of Alexander Nevsky were solemnly transferred from Vladimir to the new capital of Russia on September 12, 1724 by decree of Peter the Great. This day in the Russian Orthodox Church is celebrated until now. The great commander became the patron of the new Russian capital, but the massive silver sarcophagus was redeployed to the Hermitage in Soviet times, where he remains (without relics) today.

Synodal period

After Domenico Trezzini, Ivan Starov became the chief architect of church buildings, and he did a lot of things at his own discretion, significantly expanding the construction site. In 1797 the monastery was elevated to the rank of laurels. At that time Troitskaya Alexandro-Nevskaya Lavra (St. Petersburg) was not only the largest in the country, but also one of the richest.

Soviet time

During the revolution, the People's Commissar of Social Security, AM Kollontai, wanted to transform the monastery into a shelter for war invalids. A group of sailors who went there on January 19, 1918, was greeted by an angry crowd of parishioners. The Bolsheviks had to retreat. As a result, an order was issued to stop financing the church from the state budget. The apogee of these events was a decree on the separation of church and state. In 1922 the monastery was practically "legally plundered" in favor of the hungry. Silver cancer, where the relics of Alexander Nevsky were stored, was opened and transferred to the Hermitage, and the relics themselves were transferred to the fund of the State Museum. From that moment, the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg continues to operate until 1932, until all the monks were arrested. A year later the monastery was closed and reorganized into a parish church, and in 1936 the divine services completely ceased. The next 20 years in the monastery were various secular institutions, and only in 1957 worship services were renewed. The relics of the commander were returned to their rightful place only in the late 1980s.

Necropolis of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Lazarevskoe Cemetery

The Lavra in St. Petersburg is famous for its necropolis, where many famous people of the last century rest - writers, military leaders, scientists. Initially, there was one cemetery - Lazarevskoye, founded during the reign of Peter I. The honor to be buried here was given only to rich or famous people in the country. To date, all gravestones, monuments, sarcophagi represent a huge historical value. Here is the family crypt of the famous Count Sheremetyev.

Tikhvin Cemetery

Over time, the Lazarevskoye cemetery became too cramped, and it was decided to open another one, which was called Novo-Lazarevsky. Clear boundaries it acquired only in the late 19 th century, when it was surrounded by a stone fence. Around the same time, the new cemetery of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra was renamed Tikhvin. This was due to the construction of a burial vault in the name of the icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God in the cemetery. The burials in the new cemetery are also associated with the names of prominent figures of culture, art and the scientific world. Closer to the middle of the 20th century burials on the Tikhvin Cemetery ceased, and it was reconstructed into a memorial park.

Nikolsky Cemetery

The third cemetery on the territory of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra was opened in 1863. Since the Nicholas Church was located in the necropolis, the cemetery itself was named Nikolsky. The new cemetery differs somewhat from its counterparts. First, there are many chapels built in the Old Russian style on its territory. Secondly, besides the usual monuments and crypts, there are many bronze statues and busts of buried people. Third, the Nikolsky Cemetery is the only one in the laurels that has not received the status of a museum. It operates to this day, but only a few of the most famous people of our time are honored to rest in this holy land.

Every year many tourists and pilgrims come to St. Petersburg. The purpose of their arrival is the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Opening hours are very convenient for everyone who wants to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this place. The cathedral is open from 6.00 to 20.00, the territory of the laurels from 5.30 to 23.00.

History and modernity

The revival of church life and worship in the laurel was started in the second half of the 90s, and in 2000 all buildings were transferred to the diocese. On the territory of the monastery are two churches, designed by the father and son of Trezzini in 1717-1722 and 1742-1750, respectively; The majestic Neoclassical Cathedral, built in 1778-1790 by the Ivan Starov project and dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and many smaller structures. Lazarevskoye and Tikhvinskoe cemeteries are also located here, where richly decorated tombs of Mikhail Lomonosov, Alexander Suvorov, Nikolai Karamzin, Modest Mussorgsky, Peter Tchaikovsky, Feodor Dostoyevsky, Carlo Rossi and other famous people are preserved. Today the Nevsky Monastery is a popular place for tourists and pilgrims. The history of the emergence of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra for all comers will be told by Orthodox guides. On the territory of the monastery there is a refectory and a tea room, where you can order hot meals for both pilgrims' groups and individual pilgrims. Here, three hotels are built, where you can rent cozy and inexpensive rooms. To date, the pilgrimage service operates in the Lavra, which is responsible for arranging excursions both on the territory of the monastery itself, and on the churches and temples of St. Petersburg.

Birthday of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra

In 2013 the Orthodox Church celebrated the 300th anniversary of the day when the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra was founded in St. Petersburg. The countdown of this event began on March 25, 1713, namely, from the first Divine Liturgy within the walls of the temple. During the celebration, all the brethren, led by the vicar of the church, made the procession. The parishioners listened to the greetings of Metropolitan Volodymyr, who urged people to preserve this holy place, which is the spiritual center of all Russia.

Interesting Facts

Like any ancient place, the Nevsky Monastery is enveloped in secrets and mysteries. Here are just a few interesting facts related to the history of the origin and development of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

1. Due to the fact that the monastery was formed on the place where Alexander Nevsky defeated the Swedes, it was originally called "Victoria".
2. The Orthodox Academy in St. Petersburg originates from a school built on the territory of the laurels and intended at one time exclusively for children of priests.
3. The relics of Alexander Nevsky, who were transported to the monastery's territory even under the reign of Peter I and are kept there at the present time, during the years of the revolution were taken out and handed over to the State Museum.
4. During the difficult post-revolutionary period, many priests suffered at the hands of the Bolsheviks - they were either shot or arrested.
5. In 1918, the government decided to seize the territory of the laurels and use it for their own needs. However, the sent squad met unprecedented resistance of the parishioners and was forced to retreat. After these events, the divine services continued for another 15 years.
6. One of the temples of the laurels still does not enter its domain and is an urban museum.
7. The construction of this historic complex lasted almost a hundred years. In the process of designing and erecting temples and churches, many well-known architects and builders of the time participated.

Latest events

Most recently, on September 12, 2016, the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg organized the "Nevsky Zvony" festival at its walls. Celebrations were timed to the day of the transfer of the relics of Alexander Nevsky and began with a traditional common prayer. The best bell ringers of Russia and the near abroad took part in the festival and pleased the audience with their skill. In addition, the attention of those present was presented with a film about the bells. In the final part of the holiday, anyone could call the bell himself, but also get a master class from the best bell ringers.