Sretensky Monastery

The Sretensky Monastery is a unique place where centuries of Russian history intertwine. Located just three kilometers from the Kremlin, this ancient monastery is associated with the miraculous salvation of Moscow from Tamerlane’s army and preserves many Orthodox relics. Today, the monastery combines ancient traditions and modernity, offering visitors the opportunity to explore both 17th-century churches and newly built architectural structures.

Historical Significance of the Monastery

The foundation of the Sretensky Monastery dates back to the 14th century and is closely connected with one of the key moments in Moscow’s history. The name of the monastery comes from the Old Slavonic word “sretenie,” meaning “meeting.”

The Legend of Moscow’s Salvation

In 1395, a serious threat loomed over the Russian lands. The invincible commander Tamerlane, with his vast army, advanced toward Moscow after devastating Yelets. Prince Vasily I, the son of the famous Dmitry Donskoy, understood that the chances of defending the capital were minimal — the forces were unequal. Miraculous Deliverance: Metropolitan Cyprian ordered the transfer of the miraculous Icon of the Mother of God from Vladimir. Muscovites met the holy image on August 26, and that very night, according to legend, Tamerlane had a terrifying vision — the Virgin Mary ordered him to leave Russian lands. Frightened, the conqueror turned his army back. At the site where the icon was met, a wooden church was built, and later a monastery was founded. Since then, the Feast of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon has become one of the most important holidays for Muscovites.

Pages of the Monastery Chronicle

Over six centuries, the monastery has witnessed various historical eras:

• 1612 — The headquarters of the Nizhny Novgorod militia was located in the monastery; Prince Dmitry Pozharsky recovered from wounds here after battles with Polish invaders
• 1679 — During the reign of Tsar Fyodor Alekseyevich, the stone Cathedral of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon was built, preserved to this day
• 1707 — Fresco paintings were created by Kostroma and Yaroslavl masters at the expense of Streltsy Colonel Griboedov
• 1770 — A plague epidemic claimed the lives of almost all the monks
• 1925 — The monastery was closed by Soviet authorities, and most buildings were demolished
• 1991 — The monastery was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church, beginning its revival

Architectural Monuments of the Monastery

The modern monastery complex unites both ancient and new structures, each representing artistic and spiritual value.

Cathedral of the Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

The stone church of 1679 is the architectural gem of the monastery. The five-domed structure reflects the strict canons of its era — after the patriarchal ban on tent-style architecture, Moscow churches were built according to Byzantine models. Symbolism of the Domes: The central golden dome represents Jesus Christ, while the four side domes symbolize the evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, who spread Christian teaching throughout the world. The cathedral’s main treasure is the 17th-century frescoes. Remarkably, they survived because during Soviet times they were covered with thick paint and wallpaper. During the 2005 restoration, bright and almost undamaged images were found beneath this layer. In the lower tier of the cathedral lies an underground crypt. Before the Revolution, it served as the burial site of benefactors; during the Soviet period, it was used for tragic purposes — NKVD executions were carried out here.

Church of the Resurrection of Christ and the New Martyrs

This modern cathedral, consecrated in 2017, became one of the largest in Moscow — its area is 10,000 square meters. Despite its size, the building harmoniously fits into the historical ensemble thanks to its traditional architectural forms. Construction Features:

• Built of white Vladimir limestone, like ancient Russian churches of the 12th–13th centuries
• Combines elements of Byzantine and Old Russian styles
• Height reaches 61 meters
• Holds up to 2,000 worshippers, and up to 5,000 with the porch area
• Equipped with modern climate control, floor heating, and ventilation systems
• Includes facilities for live broadcasting of services

The interior is adorned with frescoes and 47 icons painted in the traditional style.

Orthodox Relics of the Monastery

The monastery preserves several revered relics that attract pilgrims from all over Russia.

Relics of the Holy Martyr Hilarion

Archbishop Hilarion (Vladimir Troitsky) was an outstanding theologian, writer, and associate of Patriarch Tikhon, as well as the abbot of Sretensky Monastery. During the church persecutions, he continued to preach and serve, for which he was sent to the Solovki labor camp. Even in captivity, the saint earned the respect of guards through his steadfastness and kindness. After Solovki, he was exiled to Kazakhstan, where he contracted typhus and died in 1929. In 1999, his relics were transferred to the Sretensky Monastery, and in 2000 he was canonized. His shrine is located in the central part of the new cathedral.

Copy of the Shroud of Turin

One of the few detailed copies of the famous Christian relic is kept in the crypt of the Sretensky Cathedral. The Shroud of Turin is the cloth that, according to tradition, covered Christ’s body after the Crucifixion. The original has been in Italy since 1578, and exact copies are extremely rare. Moscow has only two — one in Sretensky Monastery and the other in the Church of St. Clement in Zamoskvorechye.

Relic of St. Mary of Egypt

Saint Mary of Egypt is one of the most venerated Christian ascetics. According to tradition, she lived a sinful youth but experienced spiritual transformation at age 29 in Jerusalem. She then withdrew into the desert beyond the Jordan, where she lived for about 50 years in repentance and prayer. Before the Revolution, the monastery had a church dedicated to her, which contained a relic of her remains. After the monastery’s closure and the church’s demolition, the relic was lost. In the 21st century, it was returned — monks from a Greek monastery on the island of Andros gifted it to the Moscow monastery.

Copy of the Vladimir Icon

The original miraculous icon associated with the monastery’s founding is now kept in the church of the Tretyakov Gallery. However, Sretensky Monastery houses a revered copy — the personal icon of Archimandrite John (Krestiankin), the abbot of the Pskov-Pechory Monastery.

Modern Life of the Monastery

Sretensky Monastery is known not only for its historical heritage but also for its vibrant cultural activity. It includes:

• A publishing house that released the bestseller “Everyday Saints” by Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov)
• A theological academy that trains clergy
• The literary café “Everyday Saints,” open to all visitors
• The Sretensky Monastery Choir, famous throughout the Orthodox world

The monastery regularly hosts lectures, concerts of sacred music, creative evenings, and theatrical performances.

Visitor Information

Location and Transportation

Address: Moscow, Bolshaya Lubyanka Street, 19 How to Get There:

1. From Lubyanka metro station — 10 minutes on foot along Bolshaya Lubyanka
2. From Chistye Prudy, Turgenevskaya, or Sretensky Bulvar stations — 7 minutes through Sretensky Bulvar
3. From Sukharevskaya metro — 10 minutes downhill along Sretenka
4. By buses M9, M2, or S633 to the “Sretensky Gates” stop

Service Schedule

Services are held daily in both churches of the monastery:

• 6:45 — Brotherhood prayer service
• 8:00 — Divine Liturgy
• 18:00 — Evening service

The main feast of the monastery — The Meeting of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God — is celebrated on September 8. Up-to-date schedules and changes on feast days can be found on the official website of the monastery.

Saint Seraphim Hermitage

The monastery owns a picturesque estate in the Ryazan region, 35 kilometers from the town of Mikhaylov. This architectural complex, over 200 years old, once belonged to Alexander Ermolov, a companion of Catherine the Great. According to legend, the project was designed by the famous architect Vasily Bazhenov. What to See:

• The restored main estate building, now housing the theological academy
• A former livestock yard stylized as a knight’s castle, now converted into monks’ cells
• The 19th-century Kazan Church with a rare feature — two bell towers flanking the entrance
• An old icon of Archangel Michael, saved by locals in the 20th century

Conclusion

The Sretensky Monastery represents a unique blend of antiquity and modernity. Here, six centuries of tradition are carefully preserved, while the monastery continues to develop and remain open to all. Visiting the monastery will be fascinating for both Orthodox pilgrims and lovers of history and architecture. For a more complete experience, it is recommended to use the services of a professional guide who will reveal lesser-known pages of the monastery’s history and share its secrets.