tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15720945062190839632024-03-19T03:04:01.431-07:00Sergiev PosadWelcome to the Orthodox capital!Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-35052679148170513112012-05-05T03:38:00.000-07:002013-04-29T05:26:21.854-07:00Medovuha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<strong>Medovuha</strong> is <strong>mead</strong>, honey wine, fermented honey-water solution. It's the most ancient alcoholic drink, dating back from at least 7,000 BC! Aryans worshiped their <em>surya</em> they brewed and left in the sin for fermentation. In Russia mead was a traditional (now rare) drink like <a href="http://sergievposad.blogspot.com/2011/09/kvas.html">kvas</a> and beer. Medovuha is sometimes drank by traditionalists like churchmen and old believers.<br />
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Medovuha combines bear, wine and kvas characteristics. It's sold in (usually thick) brown platic bottles. In Posad you can find mead at a new white-green plastic store opposite the Lavra gates. However sweet mead tastes, don't drink over 2 glasses (especially of the <em>Medovarus</em> brand) at a time, or next morning you'll have heavy mind.</div>
Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-34195535277428228072011-09-09T01:04:00.000-07:002011-09-09T01:17:48.223-07:00Red Field<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black;"><b><i>Krasnoe Pole</i></b> (<b>Red Field</b>) is an annual medieval culture festival around Sergiev Posad in September. It's arranged by the military history reconstruction club <i>Wolfzeit</i> and a local youth organization on large fields outside town. The festival takes us back to Old North Russia fighting Viking raids.<br /><br />About 300 enthusiasts from all over Russia show their mastery in sword, arch, dance and even cooking over 1 weekend. They gather thousands of spectators from the Moscow region.<br /><br />The organizers restore a whole medieval settlement around a fortress. Like back then, now knights in authentic armor walk down the streets with their ladies, sellers call out for customers into their counters while the poor beg promising God's blessings for charity. Strolling musician bands settle down round marquees. Their music helps some sell mead, a popular medieval beverage. Guards convoy shackled commoners guilty of something and offer passers-by to buy them out. Eateries are full of people tasting wild boar and quail. </span>
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<span style="color: black;">The field features horse tournaments between rich nobles pushing their opponents out of saddle with their spears at full throttle. Healers are here to help those injured. Another camp corner is for a costume contest among tradespeople, artisans, warriors and even clergy. A jury listens to each costume story, testing for any mechanical stitches and artificial cloth and checking all character attributes. </span>
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<span style="color: black;"><i>Krasnoe Pole</i> culminates in fortress siege by Normans vs. an Old Russian prince with his guard. The siegers even use the cutting-edge weapon of that time, cannon, but most successfully the old tested tactic of ramming the gate under their shields. The siege ends in a battle inside, often bloody so that real-life ambulance has to assist. Heroes there like showing their wounds off to beautiful ladies.<br /><br />In the light of the upcoming <a href="http://sergievposad.blogspot.com/2009/07/st-sergius-of-radonezh.html">St. Sergius</a>' 700th anniversary the municipality is preparing a top medieval festival reproducing the <a href="http://sergievposad.blogspot.com/2009/07/trinity-sergius-lavra.html">Trinity Sergius Lavra</a>'s siege. So <i>Krasnoe Pole</i> acts as a major rehearsal for the this ambitious project</span>.<br />
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Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-11511046048908792762011-09-02T08:23:00.000-07:002011-09-08T23:10:13.759-07:00Kvas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sergiev Posad in summer (posad meaning a trade settlement around a fortress) is a Russian culinary center offering traditional drinks on street sale. Tourist may wonder about yellow tanks featurung <b>КВАС</b> on their sides, selling cheap frothy dark drink by plastic glasses or already in bottles. If you miss such street vendors along the way, buy it by/in the Lavra. <b>Monastyrsky kvas</b> is considered the best brand. For traditional but flavored kvas tasting sourer visit the <b><a href="http://sergievposad.blogspot.com/2009/07/chernigov-gethsemane-skete.html">Skete</a></b> with its kvas-making facility.<br />
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The top Russian cold drink is refreshing and nutritional <b>kvas</b> (quass) now back again more popular than any cola. It's a natural fermented drink (classically with bubbles) of black or regular rye bread, enjoyed in hot weather even by youth. Raw bread color defines kvas drink. Its alcohol content is very low - 0.05-1%. Kvas may be flavored with fruits or herbs like strawberries or mint. It's also used as a basis for a cold summer soup, <b>okroshka</b>.<br />
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Kvas was 1st mentioned in Rus chronicles in <b>989</b>. In Russia, under Peter the Great, it was the top non-alcoholic drink in all society. In the 19th century it was reported to be consumed in excess by peasants, commoners and monks; in summer they drank it more than water. It's both a commercial product and homemade. Kvas was once sold during summer only, but is now produced, packaged and sold year-round in stores.<br />
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Kvas is made by natural fermentation of bread (wheat, rye, barley) and sometimes flavored with fruit, berries, raisins, or birch sap collected in early spring. Modern homemade kvas usually uses black or regular rye bread (often dried), baked into croutons, or fried (+ sugar or fruit like apples/raisins), and with a yeast culture and ferment.<br />
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Commercial kvas (especially cheaper varieties) is made like many other soft drinks, using sugar, carbonated water, malt extract, and flavourings. Better brands (often made by beer rather than soft drink producers) usually use some traditional technology to brew their products. Kvas is commonly served unfiltered, with yeast still in it, which adds to its unique flavor and its high vitamin B content.Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-17405514531977197822010-11-29T22:23:00.000-08:002010-12-01T23:41:04.930-08:00Art House<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.artposad.ru/images/works_by_author/narodnoe/krivoschekova-krilova_oa/044_kriv.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 425px; height: 323px;" src="http://www.artposad.ru/images/works_by_author/narodnoe/krivoschekova-krilova_oa/044_kriv.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Sergiev Posad has a Russian <strong><a href="http://www.artposad.ru/">Artist Union</a></strong> branch almost opposite the Lavra. Visitors here can attend an <strong>exhibition hall</strong> and an <strong>art gallery</strong>. The 4-hall exhibition includes local paintings/graphics, basically countryside landscapes. Beside this, the gallery offers handicrafts Sergiev Posad is famous for - wooden toys, clay whistles and decorative plates. Artists will also find here painting accessories like frames. Free entrance daily 10am-6pm.</p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-24144565960373840582010-10-20T08:24:00.000-07:002010-10-22T02:58:35.514-07:00"Once Upon a Time" Peasantry Museum<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhpDyfLzs8fdYTFlHOGdhgA7FTHVvMJQ7QWhzdRduxqyFUMjx59YxA8q4nwZnXFtkHls4U524AYcbzeMZKiwL9-tdasjKYn9KpuCRW41M9-24RXN2FQ8yk4VVaTYWn1xcAQq-1HdBmPWC/s1600/15102010652.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhpDyfLzs8fdYTFlHOGdhgA7FTHVvMJQ7QWhzdRduxqyFUMjx59YxA8q4nwZnXFtkHls4U524AYcbzeMZKiwL9-tdasjKYn9KpuCRW41M9-24RXN2FQ8yk4VVaTYWn1xcAQq-1HdBmPWC/s400/15102010652.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530150148917572290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>One of the most cultural but poorly promoted places in Sergiev Posad is the <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Once Upon a Time" Peasantry Museum</span> in a backsteet 5 min from the Lavra. Here in a carved wooden house lives artist and collectioner Victor Bagrov. In his private museum you will see various artefacts of old Russian peasantry from medieval foundings to 19th-century copies and feel true Russian spirit.</p><p>Periodically Victor exhibits theme handicraft - Slav symbols, old Russian armor... At the entrance you'll encounter birch bark pottery and embroidery. The midroom presents traditional dolls, metalwork and of course pieces of woodwork. Most curious tourists/historians may be let into the secret room with extra handicrafts. Some might want to support this enthusiast's collection by buying unique souvenirs.</p><p>I can easily bring you to this amateur museum and introduce Victor who will guide you through his exhibit history.</p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-67220126398957919172009-07-29T07:17:00.000-07:002010-10-22T03:00:59.769-07:00Posad<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppB3jaPIKrFAVCIq7LRE1bCg8BjOCWaH-xY4UXazfn8vdfVeQ047yx0UYKeFft2wOOZDU6igOJ_jJWzrgSRXoB-XUioSiHFwtBJN7YpXS8swRslgOeUV16ZbaX3iUjeY4eiyyVkwEw1ac/s1600-h/Posad.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppB3jaPIKrFAVCIq7LRE1bCg8BjOCWaH-xY4UXazfn8vdfVeQ047yx0UYKeFft2wOOZDU6igOJ_jJWzrgSRXoB-XUioSiHFwtBJN7YpXS8swRslgOeUV16ZbaX3iUjeY4eiyyVkwEw1ac/s400/Posad.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364187585267995090" /></a><br /><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Usually called <strong>Posad</strong> in everyday life, Sergiev Posad is a provincial town of 100+K people. Apart from spirituality, there're some other aspects it boasts - chemicals, fireworks and agriculture.</p><p>But despite the Posadians' high educational and mental level, living standards here are worse among other sub-Moscow towns due to political pretences. Many locals work in Moscow, so Posad may impress as a residential area with a lot of garbage around. You'll inevitably see beer plastic bottles and cigarette butts thrown in the streets.</p><p>Behind the <strong>Orthodox Vatican</strong> facade and even in <strong>Posad City</strong> (a business area by the terminal stuffed with trade centers), many shabby houses stand spoiling the picture. If you really wanna see Posad, put up with its drunkards and beggars.</p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-72783208303307330882009-07-28T07:37:00.000-07:002009-08-06T02:11:22.520-07:00Souvenirs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLisT0zvyJWI2zUV-SkoPtebq8dbf7uSJiVvIBtGsd1YO7hzYaX-fM-smimAyLtlrgYRU48zqXPjqXiFvnQySY8j7zs5DMP3XKhq0Qj4mAPUdzL29wA_tlsAoicNqxbx0PNpIYIvu7u7Ld/s1600-h/Vernisage.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLisT0zvyJWI2zUV-SkoPtebq8dbf7uSJiVvIBtGsd1YO7hzYaX-fM-smimAyLtlrgYRU48zqXPjqXiFvnQySY8j7zs5DMP3XKhq0Qj4mAPUdzL29wA_tlsAoicNqxbx0PNpIYIvu7u7Ld/s400/Vernisage.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363885308109181746" /></a><br /><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Sergiev Posad is famous for its wooden craft and souvenirs. Antique stores offer old postcards, pictures, books, icons and <em>balalayka</em> (a traditional string instrument). A better option is checking out the <strong>Vernisage</strong>, a souvenir market down the Lavra gates. Starting as wooden counters by the restaurant area, after the underground passage there're salesmen's tables with souvenirs like <a href="http://sergievposad.blogspot.com/2009/07/toy-museum.html">matryoshka</a>, painted eggs, chainlets, mini-icons, boxes and all sorts of folk trade. </p><p>Modern artists create many new styles of nesting dolls. Common themes include animal collections, portraits and caricatures of famous politicians, musicians and popular movie stars. Matryoshkas featuring communist leaders became very popular with Russians in the early 1990s. Today some Russian artists specialize in painting themed matryoshkas as to specific subjects, people or nature.</p><p>To bring cameras inside the Lavra, you must buy a pemission (an excursion CD is included though). Or you can pass free by just hiding your cam. Inside the Lavra there're some churchware stores as well. </p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-18508820617959029132009-07-27T02:56:00.000-07:002009-08-06T02:08:20.755-07:00Transport<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhls2E6aRjfQTmUNd4ZOLppX5tcTTVUcyvff_0SLu6tTprRNaXsWlg3ekw4QIN2xvCMbeeJ8TyK2oRb5EwrdF1U8ozaqqdZSWxSWlyYHiR3oYP1PtaCMBF3c6hsH2N0WOJOtf3rzSuOW-sQ/s1600-h/Train.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhls2E6aRjfQTmUNd4ZOLppX5tcTTVUcyvff_0SLu6tTprRNaXsWlg3ekw4QIN2xvCMbeeJ8TyK2oRb5EwrdF1U8ozaqqdZSWxSWlyYHiR3oYP1PtaCMBF3c6hsH2N0WOJOtf3rzSuOW-sQ/s400/Train.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363144628405922898" /></a><br /><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One can easily get from <strong>Moscow</strong> to Sergiev Posad. Sergiev Posad's transport hub is its busiest area.</p><p><strong>Trains</strong> leave from the <strong><a href="http://www.tutu.ru/station.php?nnst=45807">Yaroslavsky Terminal</a></strong> (the <strong>Komsomolskaya</strong> subway station) every 0.5-1 hour, rarer in lunch time. They take 1.5 hours and about €3 one way. This railroad line goes further through <strong>Alexandrov</strong>, Rostov the Great, Pereslavl-Zalesky to Yaroslavl. Through a window you can see great inside views of Russian countryside. But note that a commuter train is a mid- and low-class transport full of curious and drunk seatmates. If in a hurry, <strong>taxis</strong> are available behind the terminal.</p><p>A more comfortable transport is <strong>bus</strong> from the <em>ВДНХ</em> (<strong>VDNH</strong>) subway station departing every 10-15 min. For about the same price as train, it goes for 1 hour. The bus tickets are sold on board. </p><p></p><p></p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-85207926388737471392009-07-24T07:08:00.000-07:002009-08-18T05:29:11.117-07:00Catering<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hTRuJMIg2dR8PLc2vrjmMo_RHcCrypTmFfmpHdX1jS_RpMs30sbpYol6jjGz_h9mk6Jmj9gIsTAhARfiwf_jNDP8YZX2BUFga9T_CIBHrKefq1KxCkkR-kg-BDC-_HXd_vFbsnkqx9d2/s1600-h/Rusky+Dvorik.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hTRuJMIg2dR8PLc2vrjmMo_RHcCrypTmFfmpHdX1jS_RpMs30sbpYol6jjGz_h9mk6Jmj9gIsTAhARfiwf_jNDP8YZX2BUFga9T_CIBHrKefq1KxCkkR-kg-BDC-_HXd_vFbsnkqx9d2/s400/Rusky+Dvorik.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366492556392743042" /></a><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In Sergiev Posad tourists can dine at various spots.</p><p>The terminal offers <strong>McDonald's</strong> and a <strong>Kroshka-Kartoshka</strong> (Potatoe Baby) chain restaurant nearby with local cuisine like baked potatoe, cucumber salads and garlic bread. Cafes here are the last option due to their poor hygiene and heavy cigarette smoke around.</p><p></p><p>By the Lavra you'll find decent summer open-air cafes with beer and <em>shashlyk</em> (grilled meat). Premium restaurants <a href="http://www.russky-dvorik-restaurant.ru/"><strong>Rusky Dvorik</strong></a>, <strong>Nichego Lichnogo</strong> (Nothing Personal) and <strong>Dachnaya Zhizn</strong> (Cottage Life) opposite the Lavra provide the best view and English-speaking staff.</p><p>Even inside the Lavra (at the gateway) 2 cafes serve hungry tourists. Anyway at any time you can find take-away food for spontaneous street meals like most Russians do.</p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-19124483513843179712009-07-24T02:10:00.000-07:002011-09-02T08:27:40.592-07:00Gethsemane Chernigovsky Skete<br />
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The <a href="http://gefsimaniya.ru/english-version"><b>(Gethsemane)</b> <b>Chernigovsky Skete</b></a> (1843-7) is the Lavra's eastern hermitage 3km. A famous Moscow holy fool <b>Philippushka</b> who had been drifting in European Russia for 10 years as a pariah came to the Lavra and moved to the place to dig an underground reclusory like that of the <b>Kiev-Pechyory Lavra</b>. The caves were dug till 1851 when they included a cave temple as a wooden dugout and underpasses with monastic cells. The central cave was for prayer to become the <b>Archangel Michael Cave Temple</b>.<br />
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In 1852 the cave temple was donated the <b>Chernigov Icon of Godmother</b>. By legend, in 1869 it healed a paralized peasant woman and later showed over 100 miracles and healings. The Skete's elder was Rev. <b>Barnabas</b> visited in 1905 by <b>Tsar Nicolas II</b> for advice and blessing. Barnabas used to console people even though predicting Bolshevic terror and Orthodox revival.<br />
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The architectural ensemble center is the 5-dome <b>Chernigovky Cathedral</b> (1886-97) with the cave church underneath. Its 5-tier belfry rises amid the neighborhood almost equally with the Lavra's one.Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-19234973010855943302009-07-23T02:31:00.000-07:002010-10-22T03:02:27.083-07:00St. Savva Spring<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzWYA-_IHgF0xtrPSciBdmUBNr_qnBbAcaUX3CQl84OYi5bvihW4STYdJsUrNk3qwLJV94mxfZib6T3oCPFhJuhd9aZ8FttGW0H90m6_GEibb_CxgivCbs0e7MpTpwG-hSgbfimBWAIGX/s1600-h/Savva+Spring.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzWYA-_IHgF0xtrPSciBdmUBNr_qnBbAcaUX3CQl84OYi5bvihW4STYdJsUrNk3qwLJV94mxfZib6T3oCPFhJuhd9aZ8FttGW0H90m6_GEibb_CxgivCbs0e7MpTpwG-hSgbfimBWAIGX/s400/Savva+Spring.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361666947313731218" /></a><br /><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Behind the Lavra there's a lowland spring of <strong>St. Savva of Storozha</strong>. </p><p>Savva was St. Sergius' close disciple and very ascetic assistant. For 6 years after St. Nikon Savva ran the monastery as abbot. Like St. Sergius, he prayed intensely until a water spring came out of the hill. After his death in 1406 St. Savva's relics cured the sick and exorcized evil spirits. Sometimes his spirit came to monastery inhabitants who prayed for his help.</p><p>The St. Savva Spring is accessed by a wooden path and has a traditional bathing hut nearby. Though religiously cosidered holy, its water may not be so pure due to local drainage, epidemiologists warn.</p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-33560152870947719152009-07-22T07:15:00.000-07:002009-08-05T07:44:12.724-07:00White Pond<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPHH7NkEB0-H1VNUBNx59qGdkvd9RvCK9IJnhgWx2XLw7vyZPswbtQVQiX1I2Sjh24dR18Mzugan7ajTzbDorbkYWa7IHmU92-mCuAqMD2NHzKW00zBYkIcQAr1Klu940cH5FQJ6LBJbS/s1600-h/White+Pond.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPHH7NkEB0-H1VNUBNx59qGdkvd9RvCK9IJnhgWx2XLw7vyZPswbtQVQiX1I2Sjh24dR18Mzugan7ajTzbDorbkYWa7IHmU92-mCuAqMD2NHzKW00zBYkIcQAr1Klu940cH5FQJ6LBJbS/s400/White+Pond.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361292130122469250" /></a><br /><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A traditional rest spot for Sergiev Posaders is the <strong>White Pond</strong> downtown between the Lavra, its hotel, the <a href="http://sergievposad.blogspot.com/2009/07/history-and-art-museum.html">Museum</a> and the avenue. It's the oldest basin here.</p><p>By legend, Peter the Great used to shoot the pond ducks. Now the White Pond is famous for its swans living in a central booth and shot only with cameras. </p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-78660305212392346502009-07-22T02:22:00.000-07:002009-08-05T07:27:52.512-07:00St. Sergius Sky<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZv3Mw1U82Y5ayK5u0BeoKaGtFut4Hy6ouWP3MTUOdaQC6SY4Uw2YDt2LUDOEDzYO9HdWLnve2f74irKH2ndH__xZPj1fbIZgGwI8KunQ1M2EzVkC_mn368pCdcPYO8b3y2PyqZ7ZF7po/s1600-h/St.+Sergius+Sky.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZv3Mw1U82Y5ayK5u0BeoKaGtFut4Hy6ouWP3MTUOdaQC6SY4Uw2YDt2LUDOEDzYO9HdWLnve2f74irKH2ndH__xZPj1fbIZgGwI8KunQ1M2EzVkC_mn368pCdcPYO8b3y2PyqZ7ZF7po/s400/St.+Sergius+Sky.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366485574665679698" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p>This heat balloon fest is a top Sergiev Posad event and a major nationwide professional contest. Happening outside the Lavra on Sergius' nameday (July 18) and the weekend ahead, it features about 10 colorful airships of incredible shapes. Beside a traditional moneybag, the fest's highlight is the <strong>Matryoshka balloon</strong>. At night the balloons even become illuminated.</p><p>I advise timing your Sergiev Posad visit to <strong>St. Sergius Sky</strong> to watch this magnificent annual sight.</p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-13023045076125493572009-07-21T05:51:00.000-07:002009-08-09T23:59:53.513-07:00Hotels<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1ew-j-Jw0jDcKNWeCrYlcUmvqbp0W0sdsCQ5rr4TDDA2iEYgebVOMkOIeWoFLGAPtk935_AHlZ9t-8kn6zKiSEk9Qbp9EZ05oGN8RbgOi_9US-K64VIcpXfmznTyFcBHdpT9Mot-eUNl/s1600-h/Russian+Yard.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1ew-j-Jw0jDcKNWeCrYlcUmvqbp0W0sdsCQ5rr4TDDA2iEYgebVOMkOIeWoFLGAPtk935_AHlZ9t-8kn6zKiSEk9Qbp9EZ05oGN8RbgOi_9US-K64VIcpXfmznTyFcBHdpT9Mot-eUNl/s400/Russian+Yard.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360917158647391266" /></a><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Accomodation in Russia which has a long way to become tourist-friendly is rather expensive. So be ready to pay €50+ for a hotel room.</p><p>The best Sergiev Posad hotel is stone-and-wooden <a href="http://www.russky-dvorik.ru/en/about/"><strong>Rusky Dvorik</strong></a> (Russian Court) 5 min from the Lavra. Located in a quiet old street, this hotel-restaurant complex boasts a provincial atmosphere with European comfort.</p><p>The Pancake Hill features <strong><a href="http://www.world-hotel-reservations.com/AristokratHotels_en/">Aristocrat</a></strong>, a red-brick premium hotel with a panoramic downtown view. A convenient middle-class accomodation is <strong>Gnyozdyshko</strong> (Cosy Nest) Hotel at the car terminal.</p><p>Still the cheapest hotel here belongs to the Lavra and stands in the Red Army ave., by the center. A perfect pilgrim choice, the <strong>Lavra Hotel</strong> is a modest place with strict religious rules - no smoking, drinking, cursing and debauchery. </p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-45987193409568133582009-07-21T03:20:00.000-07:002010-10-22T03:02:27.086-07:00Eternal Fire<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiPaYyY-HVJlUixBq6VYYZslN2jcRjNYeIukLdG7JfLyKNOwN64qpZV7NrVY8-SqMg_anJQM6PRzy6RjcxP-IPdqfaVIH37ybRfmLiBo_l1p1Kbyo9IY6m1HCWN6yocUTchQsGDFmxID-/s1600-h/Eternal+Fire.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiPaYyY-HVJlUixBq6VYYZslN2jcRjNYeIukLdG7JfLyKNOwN64qpZV7NrVY8-SqMg_anJQM6PRzy6RjcxP-IPdqfaVIH37ybRfmLiBo_l1p1Kbyo9IY6m1HCWN6yocUTchQsGDFmxID-/s400/Eternal+Fire.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360859180268232930" /></a><br /><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In a park down the Konchura valley with massive trees stands the <strong>Eternal Fire</strong> above the <strong>Unknown Soldier Grave</strong>. It's a granite semi-circle monument with a constant flame in the center.</p><p>On May,9 (the Russian V-Day) people lay flowers, the authorities put wreaths and World War II veterans gather here to commemorate Soviet soldiers killed by the Nazi. The memory of our motherland defenders lives as long as the Eternal Fire burns.</p><p>Wedding couples also frequent the monument as a modern ritual.</p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-81130345242979487172009-07-20T07:21:00.000-07:002009-08-18T05:27:21.647-07:00Pancake Hill<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRZX6TDmPnl1KebiOiQqMXH6rifTCwWPdN0l7A95Aad8OdnTpbobWuP-005KhTbOygDX2vvRYMBhLLkLmKPjY1um0-pFCv1lPjpdQxTR2a_CB7CaDz7ZgJJw6Ol-CWnPGZvx7ZjXfHC3p/s1600-h/Pancake+Hill.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRZX6TDmPnl1KebiOiQqMXH6rifTCwWPdN0l7A95Aad8OdnTpbobWuP-005KhTbOygDX2vvRYMBhLLkLmKPjY1um0-pFCv1lPjpdQxTR2a_CB7CaDz7ZgJJw6Ol-CWnPGZvx7ZjXfHC3p/s400/Pancake+Hill.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360854579813569202" /></a><br /><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The <strong>Pancake Hill</strong> (<em>Blinnaya Gora</em>) is Sergiev Posad's top photo scene as a natural amphitheater site and a social spot for youth. Half way from the transport hub to the Lavra, it provides a grandiose view of the Lavra walls and peaks wrapped in trees opposite the <strong>Konchura</strong> river.</p><p>Most tourist photos from Sergiev Posad feature the Pancake Hill with its white fence. Behind it stand traditional though run-down 19th-c. wooden houses. On summer Saturdays visitors may also be lucky to witness a local wedding on the hill .</p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-40722425747256275892009-07-17T02:24:00.000-07:002010-10-22T03:02:27.089-07:00Smolenskaya Church<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI1sc7tk_tyQilwZZLTfSVSjy8HAfdAL3Lw5Fmkv18Rf_vD90oTfCakXwVXUPSfgSjBJXkJhrp1f0H30AQQy_071pi-qR_P8QjhxrtPfjnKpO-lmOJXS6A2HeKe-YF82VvACSDFix0BE0/s1600-h/Smolenskaya+Church.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI1sc7tk_tyQilwZZLTfSVSjy8HAfdAL3Lw5Fmkv18Rf_vD90oTfCakXwVXUPSfgSjBJXkJhrp1f0H30AQQy_071pi-qR_P8QjhxrtPfjnKpO-lmOJXS6A2HeKe-YF82VvACSDFix0BE0/s400/Smolenskaya+Church.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359359924034763842" /></a><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On the outside wall of the monastery stone kitchen, constructed in the 15th century by the eminent Russian architect V.D. Yermolin, there was an icon, "<strong>Our Lady of Smolensk</strong>", carved in stone. When in 1730 a monk whose arms had been twisted by rheumatism was ardently praying in front of it, a miracle took place — he was cured. In honour of this miraculous healing the <strong>Smolenskaya Church</strong> was erected on the kitchen site by Empress Elizabeth's order in 1746–8. The construction was sponsored by Duke Razumovsky. The richly decorated miracle-working icon stood in the gilded carved iconostasis right of the Royal Gate.<br /><br />In 1920–30 the iconostasis was lost. Instead an iconostasis from a destroyed Moscow church was installed here in 1956. The iconostasis was designed by architect Uhtomsky. It's contemporary to the church and of the same style.<br /><br />The Smolenskaya Church has no columns inside and all its inner space is open up to the dome. Murals were painted here in the 19th century. At present the miracle-working icon "Our Lady of Smolensk" is at the local museum. A plaster copy of it (bigger in size) is in the altar recess outside the church. The grave of Nicholas, a Petersburg Metropolitan, is in the church crypt.Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-18984198045790590452009-07-14T03:24:00.000-07:002010-10-22T03:02:27.093-07:00St. Nikon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjQDzzqr1RVJ8WK8S-eGHeb-3IJ7u3nV4YLrW1ziOqRHg1LBNTqCi82RowwneuNH0aq1GyQ6Z1d6vSJS0vAqtwFDHx6zJdqKt19TESVHvpBL2YuqnClGqx6y1HB1fWVGLs_rt0JdE4oCk/s1600-h/Nikon+Church.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjQDzzqr1RVJ8WK8S-eGHeb-3IJ7u3nV4YLrW1ziOqRHg1LBNTqCi82RowwneuNH0aq1GyQ6Z1d6vSJS0vAqtwFDHx6zJdqKt19TESVHvpBL2YuqnClGqx6y1HB1fWVGLs_rt0JdE4oCk/s400/Nikon+Church.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361294759360961138" /></a><br /><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />St. Sergius' successor as monastery abbot was <strong>St. Nikon </strong>(1355-1426), 1st among his disciples, from Yuriev-Polsky (half way between Rostov and Radonezh). He came to the Trinity Monastery at a very early age, that’s why St. Sergius put him under the guidance of his disciple St. Athanasius, the abbot of the Theotokos on the Mountain monastery in Serpukhov. In 1375 St. Nikon returned to the Trinity Monastery and became St. Sergius' closest coworker. Half a year before his death, St. Sergius entrusted the monastery leadership to St. Nikon and vowed himself to silence. He was monastery abbot until his death. <br /><br />St. Nikon rebuilt the entire monastery destroyed during the invasion by <strong>Han Edigey</strong> in 1408. In 1422 the holy relics of St. Sergius were discovered during the construction of the Trinity Cathedral. St. Nikon commissioned the famous iconographers Andrey Rublev and Daniel the Black to paint the cathedral. The work was finished by 1425. <br /><br />St. Nikon was buried by the southern wall of the Trinity Cathedral, where a church dedicated to him was constructed in 1548, a year after his canonization. The church was rebuilt in 1623. At its western wall there is a chapel called <strong>Serapion’s Tent</strong>, constructed above the tomb of St. Serapion, a Novgorod archbishop.Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-23842633019327460412009-07-10T05:52:00.001-07:002010-10-22T03:02:27.096-07:00Tsar Chambers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TMij_ucRe7rrhk006KGmIEdn83aQF_dbtBuHBvHY71BQb5Bzzbuzv9TkMiQe5CheQxUeL4rO4DlgRuNgI5pkq_ZClNxrMZUrEPkSgE2QOiJ2u6WIEaOfUQW8_-Nzx6hJxg7TSNLgy0zx/s1600-h/Tsar+Chambers.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TMij_ucRe7rrhk006KGmIEdn83aQF_dbtBuHBvHY71BQb5Bzzbuzv9TkMiQe5CheQxUeL4rO4DlgRuNgI5pkq_ZClNxrMZUrEPkSgE2QOiJ2u6WIEaOfUQW8_-Nzx6hJxg7TSNLgy0zx/s400/Tsar+Chambers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366121285451933650" /></a><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The <strong>Tsar Chambers</strong> were erected in the late 17th c. By its outside appearance the edifice matches the Refectory Church. It was used by pilgrims from the royal family. In the 18th c. the Chambers vaults were decorated with fine stucco and carvings. </p>The <strong>Church Archaeological Museum</strong> and the <strong>Holy Virgin</strong><strong> </strong><strong>Intercession </strong><strong>Church</strong> are situated inside the Chambers. The wall paintings were created in 1987–8 by the iconographers of the local <strong>Icon Painting School</strong>. <br /><br />The church above the gateway, dedicated to the <strong>St. John the Baptist's </strong><strong>Nativity</strong>, was built in 1693–9. At present confessions for pilgrims and exorcism are performed in it every morning.Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-76553735282002979202009-07-10T05:50:00.000-07:002010-10-22T03:02:27.099-07:00Patriarch Chambers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIfVr351ZGdjZWupV3IYQU1YITvf_hCGVvE_63aDe6Rv7-TBVZ3IXOzhkdvsOo9aNQj8rWDmlb8rKrp8JlhqO9qP3ldfGeNE6W8gI0mHOfwMolUYx42jHM-jvRupdZMd-zceJ89RDOJsG/s1600-h/Patriarch+Chambers.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIfVr351ZGdjZWupV3IYQU1YITvf_hCGVvE_63aDe6Rv7-TBVZ3IXOzhkdvsOo9aNQj8rWDmlb8rKrp8JlhqO9qP3ldfGeNE6W8gI0mHOfwMolUYx42jHM-jvRupdZMd-zceJ89RDOJsG/s400/Patriarch+Chambers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359438578493985570" /></a><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The <strong>Patriarch</strong> (ex-<strong>Metropolitan</strong>) <strong>Chambers</strong> (1687–92) were built instead of the former superior cells. Nowadays, <strong>Patriarchs of Moscow and all Russia</strong> stay here during their visits to the Lavra. </p><p>The top storey hosts a home church with the Holy throne consecrated in 1949 in St. Filaret the Pious' name.<br /><br />The Patriarch Chambers adjacent to the Refectory Church were built simultaneously. Its facade made in baroque in 1778 formed the southern side of a small cosy square. The main entrance is decorated with columns which capitals support a balcony with an elegant forged lattice.<br /><br />The top-storey front rooms feature rich baroque moulding and arch murals made in 1777–8 and old tile stoves with a vegetable ornament.<br /></p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-43321541646840348322009-07-10T05:48:00.000-07:002010-10-22T03:02:27.102-07:00Chapel over the Well<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8e3MHMoFPhOEAAAMAXyyQ-p7hyphenhyphenpY9Cmr8SPVaM-j7zv5J1sEcq-BJaWTyPRUtYcdEDWm1iADqIVQARLD-hxsZwTV7yuxJScgU2cEsvpS889ceXociOpprwijMhq3p2TM85igX1AWJKom2/s1600-h/Chapel.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8e3MHMoFPhOEAAAMAXyyQ-p7hyphenhyphenpY9Cmr8SPVaM-j7zv5J1sEcq-BJaWTyPRUtYcdEDWm1iADqIVQARLD-hxsZwTV7yuxJScgU2cEsvpS889ceXociOpprwijMhq3p2TM85igX1AWJKom2/s400/Chapel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359357052552431042" /></a><br /><p></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The <strong>Chapel over the Well</strong> is a dizzying structure carved with flowers, vines and blue arabesques, built over a spring discovered in 1644. The colorful tent-like canopy over the cross-shaped fountain which receives water from the spring was built in 1872. </p><p>The Chapel over the Well was built in the late 17th-c. over the spring which shot up while repairing the Dormition Cathedral porch. Many pilgrims were cured by this water and people took it to the sick to heal them. The 1st was a blind monk whose eyesight returned due to this miracle-working water. Till this day thousands of pilgrims use this water for cure and consolation in their troubles. </p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-32902859099451606322009-07-10T05:47:00.001-07:002010-10-22T03:02:27.106-07:00Refectory and St. Mica Church<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSutY7yA66nkXOe_NxrU-025Fc-ZWPNs9kR6RjMSkaE7bfQohBagkcqQgnVSuIANyEIZRgyvgV6rDLIYSiStEsxNQRWbUyIQztIIElOHkNejGuDgRkbB3RBSYYNCn-e2EqWzfTdr0FXgDM/s1600-h/Refectory.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSutY7yA66nkXOe_NxrU-025Fc-ZWPNs9kR6RjMSkaE7bfQohBagkcqQgnVSuIANyEIZRgyvgV6rDLIYSiStEsxNQRWbUyIQztIIElOHkNejGuDgRkbB3RBSYYNCn-e2EqWzfTdr0FXgDM/s400/Refectory.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359068619950081202" /></a><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />By the 18th-c. the monks had considerably grown in number and the old <strong>Refectory</strong> couldn’t satisfy monastery needs. Instead a new Refectory with a church dedicated to St. Sergius was erected by Peter's order in 1686–92. The church was consecrated by <strong>Patriarch Adrian</strong>, the last pre-revolutionary Patriarch of Russia, in memory of the 300th anniversary since St. Sergius’ death. </p>The building of Moscow baroque style is 85 m long. Open galleries run along its perimeter, with long flights of steps leading up to these galleries. The church building catches the eye with a 4-color design of its façade, creating an illusion of faceted relief-work, as well as with the richness of its elaborate colorful stucco and carvings. They make a perfect match for the Refectory architecture. Although rather spacious (510 m2), its vaults don’t need any intermediate support. The Refectory walls were painted and renovated several times. Last time the church was painted in 1911.<br /><br />The veneration of the Mother of God was central in the life of St. Sergius. Every night he sang hymns in honour of the Holy Virgin and at the end of his life he and his disciple <strong>St. Mica</strong> had a privilege of Her visit. She came to his cell with the apostles Peter and John by her side. The Holy Virgin promised to protect the monastery and watch over it. In memory of this appearance a small gem-looking church was constructed in 1734. People connect it with the name of St. Mica, as the church stands above his grave. On the commemoration day of St. Mica, May 6/19, a liturgy is celebrated here.Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-42941931862314232092009-07-10T02:14:00.000-07:002010-10-22T03:02:27.109-07:00Deulino<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseIoB50NjG0I-50u89qElHdTVb6fvmC3hMB50WsQcE0pBb3HlfMxFBDgwusjV5UrcoD76IX37qoqV6HYPiX3guTmamwkycq4Z0RJrYGy0lIw1WsdQIer30W1bxMcnlgITM23ONyCBBVYZ/s1600-h/Deulino.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseIoB50NjG0I-50u89qElHdTVb6fvmC3hMB50WsQcE0pBb3HlfMxFBDgwusjV5UrcoD76IX37qoqV6HYPiX3guTmamwkycq4Z0RJrYGy0lIw1WsdQIer30W1bxMcnlgITM23ONyCBBVYZ/s400/Deulino.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358693088237883906" /></a><br /><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Deulino</strong> is a village 4km north of Sergiev Posad famous nationwide as a place of signing ceasefire between Russia and Poland whose troops were standing the same distance opposite. In 1618, after unsuccessfully sieging Moscow with the Trinity Monastery and anticipating a hungry winter, the Poles asked for peace. Russian representatives brought the talks to Deulino instead of the monastery which fortifications the Poles intended to secretly explore. The Deulino peace treaty conciliated the 2 countries for 14.5 years.</p><p>Deulino has 1 stone church, the <strong>Savior Church</strong> (1850-3) by the village cemetery and pond sponsored by its members and the Lavra granting 30K bricks. </p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-4432294596385363502009-07-09T07:35:00.000-07:002010-10-22T03:02:27.113-07:00Moscow Theological Academy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImG7LgQnRRExLEQrf1yf0IaiK2hX6LZCNNJT2qTmNOfx2PB4tiVg0DRH303OAONhCNqiPS_ZnqQR5qgpPVCpBkaI9Xkvw7QXvRaz0LmPG-Pd26EH2UrxOUgFGOyk6B3kdd1NqMsWkydDP/s1600-h/Academy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImG7LgQnRRExLEQrf1yf0IaiK2hX6LZCNNJT2qTmNOfx2PB4tiVg0DRH303OAONhCNqiPS_ZnqQR5qgpPVCpBkaI9Xkvw7QXvRaz0LmPG-Pd26EH2UrxOUgFGOyk6B3kdd1NqMsWkydDP/s400/Academy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358690392801384642" /></a><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The <strong><a href="http://www.mpda.ru/">Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary</a></strong> is the highest instutute of the Russian Orthodox Church stemming from the <strong>Slav-Greek-Latin Academy</strong> (1685). The pious Empress Elizabeth who often visited the Trinity Monastery founded the Seminary in the Tsar Chambers in 1742. The Academy trains Orthodox priests.</p><p>In 1814 the Theological Academy was transferred from Moscow to the Lavra, and a new complex of buildings for school needs appeared. Its yellow classroom building was erected in 1839 and got a 3rd storey in 1884. </p><p>At present the <strong>Tsar Chambers</strong> belong to the Academy. Academy access is for its students only. </p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1572094506219083963.post-5518554432947973402009-07-09T02:44:00.000-07:002010-10-22T03:02:27.116-07:00Belfry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvoX4sh1czWsoUiBGdoeV_yo1gTLSRG_6HIpXo1La9KpVhqaqE3h99uQd1uTB2uxhvdKeBAJ6Arebsm2vGpjrnZs9o-Gl_PF7NrHDpeSK7ur_U96QAwLHc9Sea7rQkY8t6Y8blpEve9TY/s1600-h/Belfry.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvoX4sh1czWsoUiBGdoeV_yo1gTLSRG_6HIpXo1La9KpVhqaqE3h99uQd1uTB2uxhvdKeBAJ6Arebsm2vGpjrnZs9o-Gl_PF7NrHDpeSK7ur_U96QAwLHc9Sea7rQkY8t6Y8blpEve9TY/s400/Belfry.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358684122017580274" /></a><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The <strong>Belfry</strong> (1741-69) is the Lavra's tallest building 88m high and reputed as Russia's most beautiful bell tower. Built as to classic architecture canons, the Belfry impresses with its excellently chosen 5-tier proportions, orderly elegance and harmonically compatable wall plane and arch spans. It's crowned with an unusual shell-shaped accomplishment. The clock with chimes was installed in 1905.</p><p>The Belfry was designed by architects Shumakher and Ukhtomsky, and it’s one of the tallest in Russia. It replaced the 17th-c. bell tower. Its heaviest bell weighed 65 tons. The bell choice by their tone and sound was considered superb. Before the revolution there were 42 bells. In 1930 all the big bells were thrown down and destroyed. Till 2002 there were only 23 bells. On September 4, 2002 two new Moscow-cast bells (35,5 and 27 tons) were lifted up to the 2nd tier in presence of <strong>Patriarch Alexy II</strong>. The 3rd called <strong>Tsar</strong> (72 tons) was cast in Petersburg in 2003. <br /><br />The Belfry is the monastery's latest prominent building, a finale of the unique architectural ensemble. It dominates the <strong>Assembly Square</strong> as if uniting its other constructions.</p>Konstantin Zaytsevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01715479613208238333noreply@blogger.com0