Andreevsky Monastery

The Andreevsky Monastery is a unique monument of Orthodox architecture, located on the picturesque bank of the Moskva River at the foot of the famous Vorobyovy Hills. This ancient abode preserves the centuries-old history of the Russian state and is an important spiritual center of the capital, attracting pilgrims and history enthusiasts from all over the world.

Legendary Foundation and Historical Milestones

From Legend to Documents

According to the monastery's tradition, the abode originated in the thirteenth century in a locality called Plennitsy — from the word "polennitsy," where bundles of rafts and logs were stacked for floating down the river. However, reliable historical evidence dates only to the mid-sixteenth century, when the territory near the Vorobyovy cliffs is mentioned in documents as the Preobrazhenskaya Hermitage.

The Birth of the Andreevsky Monastery

The year 1591 was fateful for the monastery, when Moscow was saved from the invasion of the Crimean Khan Kazy-Girey. This significant event occurred on the day of the memory of the holy martyr Andrew Stratelates. In gratitude for the deliverance, a wooden church dedicated to this saint was erected on the river bank. It was from this moment that the monastery received its current name and is officially considered founded. In 1648, the Resurrection Church was built on the territory, and in 1675, the wooden church of Andrew Stratelates was replaced with a stone one. The facade of this church was created by skilled Belarusian masters, giving the structure a special architectural flavor.

Educational Mission

The Andreevsky Monastery entered history as the place where, in the mid-seventeenth century, the first Moscow educational school for laypeople was opened. Educated monks were engaged not only in teaching but also in translating books from foreign languages into Russian, making an invaluable contribution to the development of national culture. This tradition has survived to this day — a theological school continues to operate at the monastery, training students in the main theological disciplines.

The Complex Fate of the Monastery

Period of Abolitions

The history of the abode is marked by dramatic turns. In the eighteenth century, the monastery was reoriented and closed three times. In documents of that time, the characteristic phrasing "former Andreevsky Monastery" appears, indicating its abolished status. Chronology of Closures:

• 1724 — first abolition, opening of a school for foundlings and a prison
• 1730 — short-term revival under Empress Anna Ioannovna
• 1765 — final abolition under Catherine II

New Functions of the Abode

After abolition, the monastery buildings were used for a variety of purposes. Under Catherine II, an institution for the mentally ill was housed here, and then in 1775, a women's workhouse with spinning production was opened.

Merchants' Almshouse

In 1803, a new page in the history of the abode began. The Moscow merchant society appealed to Emperor Alexander I with a request to establish an almshouse for persons of both sexes. The request was granted, and in 1805, according to the design of architect Sokolov, funded by Moscow merchants, almshouse buildings were erected on the site of the dilapidated walls. By the end of the nineteenth century, the Andreevskaya Merchants' Almshouse became the largest institution of its kind — in 1898, nearly a thousand people were cared for here. Trustees included representatives of famous merchant dynasties such as the Bakhrushins, Korolevs, and Botkins, who donated significant funds for its maintenance.

Soviet Period

After the 1918 revolution, the almshouse buildings were converted into communal houses for workers of the Gosznak factory. The churches received new purposes: a school was placed in the Church of Andrew Stratelates, and the Resurrection Church became a club. Notably, the Church of John the Theologian remained active until the end of the 1930s. From 1967 to 1971, restoration work was carried out. In the 1960s, the All-Union Research Institute was located on the territory, and the buildings remained residential until final resettlement in 1980.

Revival

The turning point came in 1992, when a patriarchal metochion was established. In 1996, the Moscow government issued a decree transferring the Andreevsky Monastery complex to the Russian Orthodox Church for indefinite use, marking the beginning of the full spiritual revival of the ancient abode.

Architectural Ensemble of the Monastery

Layout and Structure

The modern monastery is a rectangular structure formed by several buildings. Instead of traditional fortress walls, the abode is surrounded by the perimeter of three-story buildings of the former almshouse. The eastern building dates to 1805, the northern to the mid-nineteenth century, and the southern was built by architect Kaminsky in 1878.

Churches of the Monastery

Three active churches are located on the monastery grounds:

1. Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ — built in 1689 on the site of a wooden church from 1648, consecrated only in 1703 by Metropolitan Stefan Yavorsky. In the crypt of the cathedral was a side chapel of the Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates with a crypt where, according to legend, the famous educator Fyodor Rtishchev was buried. The cathedral was repeatedly rebuilt but retained features of Naryshkin Baroque. On the altar part, beautiful window casings with broken pediments by the renowned master Stepan Polubes can be seen
2. Church of John the Theologian — located in the central part of the courtyard and is a brick three-tiered bell tower in the Baroque style, erected in 1748 with funds from Count Sheremetev. Initially, the lower tier was consecrated in honor of the Archangel Michael, but after reconstruction in 1848, Saint Philaret Drozdov consecrated it in honor of the Apostle John the Theologian. The bell tower is decorated with capitals, cornices, pierced windows, and stucco
3. Gate Church of Andrew Stratelates — the main church of the monastery, which gave it its name. Restored in 1961 with minor changes to decorative elements. On the outer wall of the church is an image of the holy martyr

Historical Heritage

On the small territory of the monastery, fragments of an ancient cemetery and underground chambers have been preserved. Of particular interest are three white-stone slabs with carved inscriptions and images, embedded in the wall of the crypt under the altar part of the Resurrection Cathedral.

Modern Life of the Monastery

Service Schedule

All three churches are active and hold services daily:

• Monday — Friday: morning service at 8:00 a.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: morning service at 9:00 a.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: vespers at 5:00 p.m.
• On holidays, an all-night vigil is held

Anyone can visit the churches; entry is free.

Infrastructure

A theological school operates at the monastery, housed in restored buildings. The Synodal Library is also located here. An inexpensive refectory is open for visitors, where one can enjoy a tasty meal.

Territory and Surroundings

Modern Improvements

In the early twenty-first century, an elite residential quarter "Green Hills" was built next to the monastery, but the abode's territory remained untouched. The monastery courtyard looks well-maintained, though quite modest — decorative shrubs and flowers are planted, and a lawn is laid out. Several auxiliary buildings outside the main perimeter have also been restored.

Atmosphere of the Place

The Andreevsky Monastery is situated in a quiet, cozy spot hidden in greenery. Against the backdrop of the fast-paced life of the capital and the noisy Andreevskaya Embankment, this abode remains an island of calm and peace, where one can come to rest from the hustle, pray, or simply admire the ancient architecture.

What to See Nearby

Monastery Route

Travelers interested in Moscow's spiritual sites can create a route including several monasteries of the southern semicircle:

• Danilov Monastery
• Donskoy Monastery
• Novodevichy Monastery
• Andreevsky Monastery

All are relatively close to each other and form a unified ensemble of the capital's historical Orthodox abodes.

Nearby Attractions

Within walking distance are:

• Vorobyovy Hills — the observation platform offers picturesque panoramas of the Kremlin, Moscow-City, Neskuchny Garden, and the MSU building
• Neskuchny Garden — a walk from the park to the monastery takes about fifteen minutes
• Gorky Park — also within walking distance

In summer, several times a week, groups gather near the monastery for free excursions to Vorobyovy Hills, during which one can explore the cozy monastery territory and learn about the life of the ancient abode.

Practical Information for Visiting

Address and Contacts

The Andreevsky Men's Monastery is located at: Andreevskaya Embankment, Building 2. The nearest metro station is "Vorobyovy Gory". Contact Information:

• Phone: 8 (963) 770-10-30
• Official website: andreevskymon.ru

Opening Hours

• Monday — Friday: 08:00 — 21:00
• Saturday and Sunday: 09:00 — 21:00

Entry to the monastery territory is free.

How to Get There

By Public Transport:

• From the "Leninsky Prospekt" metro station, a fifteen-minute walk
• Buses No. 144, 255, M1, 905, T47, 308, 907, M6 stop directly at Andreevskaya Embankment
• To the "Khamovnichesky Val 2" stop: buses and minibus No. 132, 255, 64
• To the "Luzhnetskaya Embankment" stop: buses No. 64, 216, 255, T79, S12, then cross the bridge to the monastery

By Taxi: For quick and comfortable travel, use taxi services via apps such as Yandex Taxi, Uber, Gett, Maxim, or contact operators "Dve Stolitsy", "Uyutnoe Taxi", "Slavyanskoe", "Apelsin", Optimal, VeryWell.

Why Visit the Andreevsky Monastery

The Andreevsky Monastery is a unique place where centuries of Russian history intertwine. Here, one can touch ancient walls, see masterpieces of Naryshkin Baroque, learn about the educational mission of Russian monasticism, and feel the special atmosphere of a prayed-in site. The most beautiful view of the abode opens from the side of the Moskva River and Vorobyovy Hills. Hidden in greenery and surrounded by modern new buildings, this ancient abode continues to preserve spiritual traditions and serve as a reminder of eternal values amid the rapid rhythm of the metropolis. Visiting the monastery will be an excellent addition to a walk along the embankment or an excursion to Vorobyovy Hills, allowing one to discover little-known pages of Moscow's history and find spiritual peace within the walls of this prayed-in abode.