Conception Convent

The Conception Convent is one of the oldest women’s monasteries in the Russian capital, founded in the distant year of 1360. This Orthodox monastery preserves centuries-old traditions of spiritual life and continues to attract pilgrims from all over Russia thanks to its wonderworking icons and a special atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

History of the Foundation and Development of the Monastery

Foundation of the Monastery by Saint Alexy

The emergence of the first women’s monastery in Moscow is associated with the name of Saint Alexy, Metropolitan of Moscow, who blessed the establishment of the convent on the bank of the Moscow River. The first abbesses were the saint’s own sisters — the venerable Abbess Juliana and the nun Eupraxia. Initially, the monastery was called Alekseevsky in honor of Saint Alexius, the Man of God, and became renowned for the strictness of its monastic rule and the virtuous life of its inhabitants. The wooden church of the monastery was built in accordance with the communal rule, following the example of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. About thirty nuns lived in the convent, dedicating their lives to prayer, fasting, and labor in the vegetable gardens.

Trials and Revival

In 1514, with funds from Grand Prince Vasily Ivanovich, who prayed for the birth of an heir, the first stone cathedral church was built, with its main altar dedicated to the Conception of Saint Righteous Anna. The construction was supervised by the renowned Italian architect Aleviz Fryazin. The Great Moscow Fire of 1547 completely destroyed the monastery buildings. Tsar Ivan the Terrible granted lands in the Chertolye tract for the establishment of a new monastery, to which most of the sisters relocated. However, some nuns remained at the original site, sanctified by the labors of the founders, forming a small convent that came to be known as the Conception Convent. In 1584, Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, who visited the monastery together with his wife Irina Godunova in the hope of the birth of an heir, restored the Conception Convent in fulfillment of a vow. A cathedral complex was rebuilt, including the Church of the Conception of Saint Righteous Anna and the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos with a tent-roofed bell tower.

Flourishing of the Monastery in the 17th–19th Centuries

Thanks to generous donations from the royal family and noble benefactors, the monastery underwent significant transformation. Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich donated to the sacristy a Gospel in a precious cover and an altar cross-reliquary. In 1696, an ornate gate church dedicated to the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands was built — an outstanding monument of Moscow Baroque architecture. At the turn of the 18th–19th centuries, through the efforts of Abbess Dorimedonta and with the support of Metropolitan Platon, a majestic Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos was constructed (1805–1807) in place of the dilapidated old building. The construction was supervised by the famous Russian architects M.F. and M.M. Kazakov. During the French invasion of 1812, the monastery was plundered but soon restored. In the mid-19th century, with the blessing of Saint Philaret of Moscow, a small Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit was built, along with an almshouse for elderly nuns.

The Soviet Period and Modern Revival

In 1925, the monastery was closed by the Soviet authorities, the nuns were expelled, and many shrines were destroyed. The wonderworking icon of the Mother of God “The Merciful” and other relics were saved by transferring them to the Church of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane. In 1934, the main cathedral and bell tower were blown up, and a standard school building was erected on their site. A small community of surviving sisters continued monastic life at the Church of Elijah, preserving the spiritual continuity of the monastery. This uninterrupted existence as a single spiritual community makes the Conception Convent a unique phenomenon in the history of Russian Orthodoxy. The restoration of the monastery began in 1991 and lasted for more than ten years. Archaeological excavations confirmed that the new buildings were erected exactly on the site of the original 14th-century church.

Churches and the Architectural Ensemble

Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos

The main cathedral church of the monastery was recreated following the model of the lost early 19th-century building. It contains several altars: the main altar of the Nativity of the Mother of God, altars dedicated to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, Saint Alexy of Moscow, and the Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates. The majestic classical-style architecture and rich interior decoration create a special atmosphere for prayer.

Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit

This church is executed in the Byzantine style and was originally intended for the monastery almshouse. In the premises of the former almshouse, a side chapel of the Hieromartyr Vladimir, executed in 1937, has been created. Beneath the main building is an underground Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God, access to which is granted only to the nuns of the monastery.

Gate Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands

This outstanding monument of Moscow Baroque was built in 1696 with funds from the court steward of Peter I, A.L. Rimsky-Korsakov. The church is distinguished by its ornate decoration and harmonious proportions, and its lower level houses a burial vault of noble families. Divine services are conducted here alongside those in other monastery churches.

Chapel of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Merciful”

This small chapel contains a mosaic copy of the monastery’s main relic — the wonderworking icon “The Merciful.” The chapel is open to pilgrims throughout the day. Interesting fact: On the territory of the monastery, an external staircase from the 17th century has been preserved, which is one of the few architectural elements of the pre-Petrine era in modern Moscow.

Shrines and Wonderworking Icons

Icon of the Mother of God “The Merciful”

The main shrine of the monastery is the wonderworking icon of the Mother of God “The Merciful”, also known as “The One Who Hears.” This ancient image survived all the trials of the Soviet era and was preserved by the nuns. According to the testimonies of believers, healings and assistance in various life needs occur before this icon. Most often, prayers are offered before it for the gift of children and healing from infertility.

Icon “The Conception of Righteous Anna”

An ancient monastery icon before which married couples traditionally pray for the conception of a child. The history of the monastery preserves many testimonies of the miraculous gift of children after fervent prayers before this icon.

Icon of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth”

This venerated icon attracts pregnant women who pray for a safe delivery and the health of the unborn child.

Other Shrines of the Monastery

The monastery houses numerous relics, including: The Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos — one of the greatest Christian shrines, venerated by pilgrims from all over Russia. An ancient crucifix with particles of the Savior’s blood and a fragment of the stone of Golgotha — a unique relic reminding of Christ’s Passion. A reliquary with the Gifts of the Magi — a copy of the gifts brought by the Magi to the Christ Child, made at the Athonite Monastery of Saint Paul. A particle of the relics of Saint Righteous Lazarus the Four-Days-Dead and reliquaries with the relics of other holy saints of God. A tomb at the place of veneration of the Venerable Juliana and Eupraxia of Moscow — the founders of the monastery — to which pilgrims come with prayers for healing from various ailments.

Modern Life of the Monastery

The Monastic Community

Today, twenty-five nuns live in the monastery under the leadership of Abbess Juliana (Kaleda). The monastery lives according to the communal rule, with the daily celebration of the full cycle of divine services. The sisters carry out various obediences: serving in the churches, working in the refectory, caring for the grounds, and engaging in handicrafts.

Almshouse and Social Ministry

From the very beginning of the monastery’s revival, an almshouse has been in operation, where elderly infirm nuns and some elderly laywomen reside. The sisters show special care for the elderly, continuing the traditions of Christian mercy.

Monastery Economy

Apple and cherry orchards have been planted on the monastery grounds, along with grapevines and many flowers that delight visitors during the warm season. The monastery also has a metochion in the Moscow-region village of Barvikha, where the Church of the Protection of the Mother of God has been established and a small subsidiary farm is maintained.

Schedule of Divine Services

Divine services at the Conception Convent are held daily: On weekdays: 7:00 — Hours and Divine Liturgy 17:00 — Evening service (on Saturdays at 16:00) On Sundays and great feast days: 6:30 — Early Divine Liturgy 8:00 — Late Divine Liturgy Daily molebens at 12:00: Monday — to Saint Alexy of Moscow Tuesday — to the Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justina Wednesday — to the Venerable Juliana and Eupraxia Saturday — to the Holy Righteous Godparents Joachim and Anna (for the gift of children) On Thursdays at 16:00, Vespers is served, followed by a paraklesis with an akathist before the icon of the Mother of God “The Merciful.”

Miracles and Testimonies of Pilgrims

The Conception Convent has long been renowned as a place where, through prayers to the Mother of God and the Holy Righteous Godparents Joachim and Anna, gracious help in childbearing is granted. Numerous married couples testify to the birth of long-awaited children after prayers in this holy monastery. In addition to help with conception, pilgrims receive healing from various illnesses, find inner peace, obtain employment, and arrange their personal lives. Especially many testimonies speak of healings through prayers to the founders of the monastery — the Venerable Juliana and Eupraxia. Those suffering from mental afflictions find consolation and healing within the monastery walls, while those tormented by sorrow and despondency find peace. The atmosphere of tranquility and spiritual purity reigning in the churches благотворно influences the inner state of visitors.

Information for Pilgrims and Tourists

Location and How to Get There

Address: Moscow, Khamovniki District, 2nd Zachatievsky Lane, building 2, structure 2 Nearest metro stations: “Kropotkinskaya,” “Park Kultury” The monastery is located in the historical center of the capital, near the ancient Ostozhenka Street, in close spiritual connection with the Moscow Kremlin and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Opening Hours

The monastery is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday from 7:00 to 19:00.

Excursions and Pilgrimage Services

An экскурсион bureau operates at the monastery, where one can arrange an introductory talk on the history of the monastery and its shrines. Monastery sisters conduct tours for pilgrimage groups. An application for a tour can be submitted via the official website www.zachatevmon.ru.

Visitor Infrastructure

On the monastery grounds there are: — A church shop with icons, books, and church items — A café with monastery-baked goods — Rest areas in the garden — Sanitary facilities

Opportunity for Labor Volunteering

For those wishing to serve in this holy place, information about the opportunity to become a labor volunteer is published on the monastery’s website. This is a special form of pilgrimage in which a person dedicates several days or weeks to physical labor in the monastery, participating in monastic life. Recommendations for visitors: When visiting the monastery, one should observe rules of piety — women should wear skirts and cover their heads, men should wear trousers. In the churches, one should not speak loudly or distract those who are praying.

Spiritual Significance of the Monastery

The Conception Convent represents a true “fragment of pre-Petrine Moscow,” where traditions of ancient piety and prayerful asceticism have been preserved. Skillful wall paintings, majestic churches, prayer-soaked icons, and the welcoming faces of the nuns create a unique atmosphere of harmony and peace. Many visitors who first come to the monastery quite by chance return again and again, gradually entering church life. The monastery becomes for them a source of grace-filled strength for maintaining spiritual health amid the bustle of the modern world. The monastery continues to fulfill its high calling — to be a place of prayer, repentance, and spiritual transformation, where everyone can find consolation in sorrows and help in life’s difficulties. The six-century history of the monastery bears witness to the inexhaustible power of the Orthodox faith and the living presence of God’s grace in this holy place.