Saints Boris and Gleb. Boris and Gleb Monastery Where is the Boris and Gleb Monastery

Boris and Gleb Monastery is located in the south-eastern part of the city, near the old road to the Trinity - St. Sergius Lavra. The exact date of its foundation is unknown, since in 1610, during the devastation of Dmitrov by the Poles, the entire monastery archive burned down in a fire, so the foundation of the monastery can only be talked about speculatively, based on indirect sources. There is a legend that the monastery, like the city, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. The first documentary evidence of the existence of the monastery dates back to the 15th century. In 1841, under the Alekseevsky chapel of the Boris and Gleb Cathedral, a white stone cross was discovered, “placed on the Annunciation in 1462.” In 1472, the monastery was mentioned in the spiritual charter of Yuri Vasilyevich, the appanage prince of Dmitrov.

In the second half of the 17th century, due to the development of local land ownership, the monastery found new patrons and investors, thanks to which intensive stone construction was carried out. It was then that the architectural ensemble of the monastery took shape, which has survived to this day.

The monastery buildings were not built at the same time. For example, the gateway St. Nicholas Church dates back to the 17th century. It was built gradually from 1672 to 1687, and in 1834 the chapel of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God was added to it.

The cathedral of the Boris and Gleb Monastery was most likely built in the middle of the 16th century. Discreet architecture, lonely dome. On the southern side, the severity of the cathedral's architecture is somewhat disrupted by the elegant Alekseevsky chapel added in the mid-17th century.

The brick fence, four meters high and about a meter thick, was built in 1685-1689. and never had a defensive purpose. Towers with an overhanging second tier, narrow windows are all a tribute to the past, which already came into fashion in the 17th century, and these elements are just an antique stylization.

The two-story fraternal cells were built of brick in the last third of the 17th century. The two-story brick plastered Rector's building with laconic facades is typical of monastery construction in the first half of the 19th century. The monastery hotel to the right of the entrance gate was restored in 2004. In recent years, the complex has been supplemented with small buildings for administrative and economic purposes.

The monastery was given over by local authorities in 1926 as a museum. Two years before this, the monks were transferred to the Nikolo-Peshnoshsky Monastery. Their place was taken by nuns from the Turkovitsky convent, evacuated from Western Ukraine, and nuns of the Zaraisk Mother of God Bakhrushinsky women's community of the Ryazan diocese. The museum workers lived peacefully here with the nuns, not objecting to them growing a garden or holding services. As best they could, museum staff preserved the interiors and decoration of the monastery churches, and urgently demanded that the District Executive Committee carry out repairs in the monastery.

In 1932 The monastery buildings and the territory hidden by the old walls attracted the attention of the management of the construction of the Moscow-Volga canal. As a result, after a short confrontation, the cultural institution was defeated by the then all-powerful administration of Dmitlag, which was part of the system of the Main Directorate of Camps (GULAG) of the NKVD of the USSR, which supervised the construction. In the monastery, until the completion of the canal construction, “Dmitlag” reigned supreme and uncontrollably, destroying historical and cultural monuments.

The military unit, which was stationed here after the Canal Construction Administration for several years, did not change the appearance of the monument for the better. After decades of using the monastery buildings for various needs of Soviet organizations and institutions, the monastery had fallen into such disrepair by the early 1990s that even cleanup days organized by activists of the Society of Assistants to Restorers, including museum workers, were a drop in the ocean and could not change anything.

In 1993 The revival of the monastery began. With the blessing of Metropolitan Juvenaly, the first rector of the monastery became Archimandrite Roman (Gavrilov), Dean of the churches of the Dmitrov district until 2007, now Bishop of Serpukhov, vicar of the Moscow diocese. Under him, the following were completely restored: Boris and Gleb Cathedral of 1537. (the four-tiered iconostasis and paintings of the main cathedral were restored), with a chapel in honor of Alexy the Man of God, 1656, and a bell tower of the 17th century. (on the bell tower there is a striking clock and a belfry of 8 bells from a quarter to 40 poods); gate church in honor of St. Nicholas 1687 with the chapel of the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God 1834; refectory, fraternal building, walls with four corner towers of the 17th century; abbot's corps of the first half of the 19th century.

The restored temple became one of Dmitrov’s shrines and again became a monastery in the name of the holy martyrs Boris and Gleb. Where there was a monastery cemetery, a flower garden was laid out, and the remains, disturbed many times, were collected, buried, and in 2004 a chapel was erected over them in the name of the Holy Spirit.

On August 31, 2003, a historical event took place for the city - a visit to the city of Dmitrov by His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II. After the Divine Liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral and a meeting with the townspeople at the Lokomotiv stadium, His Holiness the Patriarch visited the Dmitrov Boris and Gleb Monastery. After awarding Father Roman the Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh, II degree, for the revival of the parish life of the Dmitrov deanery, in his speech, His Holiness the Patriarch highly appreciated the work of the abbot and the brethren of the monastery in reviving the destroyed shrines.

On August 6, 2004, Metropolitan Yuvenaly consecrated the completely restored Boris and Gleb Cathedral.

August 6, 2006 near the southwestern wall of the monastery there is a sculpture “Boris and Gleb”, sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov, architect Rostislav Narsky.

Eight inhabitants live in the monastery. The abbot of the monastery is Abbot Av-gustin. He has been one of the old residents of the monastery since 1993. At first, Augustine just came, then he stayed completely. In 1994, he was tonsured a monk, ordained a deacon, and at the beginning of 1995, a hieromonk.

In October 2007, a source of holy water was consecrated in the monastery.

The spring is open from early morning until 9 pm; water can be taken from it until the winter cold. The source is framed by an openwork forged lattice. A forged canopy in Silesia (the current Polish city of Boleslawiec), made by craftsmen of the Austrian Arsenal in the first half of the 17th century, was taken as a model. In her likeness, the blacksmiths from Orudyevo made a canopy for our source.

Excursions to the monastery are conducted for pilgrims. You can contact the church shop, which is open daily. From 10 to 15 o'clock the monastery is ready to receive people, introduce them to the history of the monastery, open the temple, talk about the shrines, but it is best to arrange excursions in advance.

Shrines of the monastery: in the Boris and Gleb Cathedral there is a shrine with particles of the relics of holy saints and a piece of the Holy Cross. Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov with a particle of his relics. Athonite icons of ancient writing - they are already more than a hundred years old - “The Merciful, or It is Worthy to Eat”, Kazan and the “Mammal” of the Mother of God. The incorrupt tomb of the Venerable Martyr Paraskeva, her relics were found by the brethren of the monastery. In the chapel of St. Alexy, the man of God, there is an ancient icon of the Great Martyr Panteleimon.

The monastery lives according to the communal rules - in addition to church services, the brethren are busy with various obediences: baking prosphora and bread, making candles, beekeeping, poultry farming, restoration work and landscaping of the territory, the development of a plot of land on the monastery courtyard has begun. Divine services in the monastery are held daily.

The monastery conducts excursions for pilgrims, participates in the publication of an Orthodox supplement to the regional newspaper, and conducts charitable activities in orphanages in the region and a juvenile colony. Residents of the monastery with theological education teach in Sunday school.

Although some people confidently claim that the earth is unique under the silvery light of the moon, but just look! - how beautiful she is in the light of day! We are driving to the Rostov Boris and Gleb Monastery, and along the road, dense pine forests turn dark with green, the snow turns white, their combination harmoniously complements the gray cloudy sky. The car bounces on the Russian road of eternal quality, shaking us thoroughly from time to time.

We are going to admire another historical place in Rostov with several unsurpassed architectural monuments.

Still, what a wonderful thing – travel! New places always promise previously unknown and unforgettable experiences! Where we are going now, we will get them in abundance - we will simply choke on the impressions of a beautiful and truly Russian place, almost untrodden by tourists. At least that's what we were assured.

Not the most welcoming weather

Go! It's about zero outside, but there's a strong wind. On the way out of the city, a gust of wind tore off a passerby’s hat, and it quickly ran away from its owner along the roadway. The citizen was at that age when it is still important how you look in the eyes of others. The fear of appearing ridiculous prevented him from going after the fugitive with all his might, and the prudence that had come over the years did not allow him to give up on the loss.

The headdress was briskly jumping along an arbitrary trajectory into the distance, but the general direction of its movement was still visible: somewhere on the opposite side of the road. Its owner, smiling embarrassedly at the motorists, puffed, rushed along the highway and tried to seize the right moment to catch his thing. Finally, the hat swerved and hit the wheel of the Muscovite walking in front of us, and the catcher himself almost fell under him.

Sanya quickly stopped, thereby securing the arena of action. Taking advantage of this favorable circumstance, the object of persecution, and then its unlucky owner, jumped out onto the sidewalk, where the criminal headdress was quickly captured by passers-by. Having finally received the property in his hands, the happy Rostov resident left. We followed his example.

The first Russian saints Boris and Gleb
Briefly - who are they?

In the summer of 2015, it will be a thousand years since the soul of the baptizer of Rus', the Grand Duke of Kyiv Vladimir, flew to the Lord. Little is known about the details of his life. What are the details? Both his birth itself and the circumstances of his death are shrouded in fog.

But it is known that Vladimir the Red Sun during the pagan period of his life was an inveterate polygamist. Therefore, he had many children from different wives. It is believed that there were twelve sons alone.

And especially among them he singled out the younger ones - Boris and Gleb. Who was their mother? Unknown. For a long time it was believed that she was the daughter and sister of the Byzantine emperors - the porphyry Byzantine princess Anna. Now this statement in the scientific community is considered unfounded and not confirmed by sources.

Only a few days passed after the unexpected death of Vladimir, when his beloved sons, who did not want to participate in the internecine war with their brothers, were killed in different places - the Rostov prince Boris and Gleb, who reigned in Murom.

In those distant times, succession of power relied solely on force and went hand in hand with the murder of pretenders. Even close relatives were dealt with mercilessly.

And then something amazing happened: having each a strong squad under their command, they did not want to go the bloody path and did not raise their hands against their brothers. Having accepted martyrdom, they established a new model of behavior - not all means are good for achieving power.

Boris and Gleb became the first saints canonized by the Russian Church. Hundreds of monasteries and temples were built in their honor in Rus'.

I knew absolutely nothing about the Borisoglebsky Monastery, which is located in the Yaroslavl region, but this is tenderly the younger brother. Seven hundred years ago, two monks Theodore and Pavel came here to the thicket of the forest and decided to found a monastery in the local desolation. He showed them the place for the monastery.

First, the monks built a wooden church. It was 1363, less than thirty years had passed since Makovets grew up on Mount Makovets.

But, if the Trinity-Sergius Monastery occupied a strategically important position, blocking access to Moscow, then, standing on the road connecting Uglich and Rostov, the Boris and Gleb Monastery was unable to block the approach to any of these cities. To get to any of them, both then and now, there are many other possibilities - this road is not the only one.

The reasons why the remote Boris and Gleb Monastery did not decay, but began to grow and become rich, are not very clear. And even less clear are the reasons that caused a special attitude towards him on the part of the Grand Dukes of Moscow and the Rurik Tsars. The monastery received favors from them, very rich contributions, they generously donated lands to it, gave it icons and jewelry.

For example, the Tsar of All Rus' Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible. As a good Christian, he repented of his actions. On his orders, a synodik was compiled - a list of those executed, in order to remember them in churches.

Lists of victims, with large monetary donations in addition, were sent to a number of monasteries. The Boris and Gleb Monastery was among these chosen ones. By the way, Grozny also contributed significant sums here to commemorate the souls of his wives - the meek Anastasia Romanovna, the Circassian Maria Temryukovna, as well as the son of Tsarevich Ivan.

In the 16th-17th centuries, the Boris and Gleb Monastery was rightly considered one of the richest in the Rostov Metropolis. The end of his prosperity came during the reign of Catherine the Great, when she transferred the monastery lands to Count Grigory Orlov, her favorite.

In 1924, the Borisoglebsky Monastery in the Yaroslavl region was completely abolished, and only seventy years later a new stage of its life began, and the monks returned here. Nowadays, two organizations somehow coexist on its territory - an active monastery and a branch of the Rostov Kremlin Museum.

The inhabitants of the holy monastery and the Venerable Irinarch, the recluse of Rostov

Monasteries are communities of special people who are alone with God. The number of brethren in them varies, on average from 20 to 100 people. Only nine monks currently live in the Boris and Gleb Monastery.

And in the 14th century, the monk Peresvet lived here, the one whom St. Sergius, together with his brother Oslyabey, blessed for the battle between good and evil.

At the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th centuries, another monk lived in the monastery - Irinarh, who was later glorified as a saint.

In the prime of his life, he took monastic vows and for 38 years, until his death, he lived in a voluntary seclusion - a tiny cell measuring one and a half by three meters. Taming his flesh, he wore chains on himself: a chain of twenty fathoms on his neck, eighteen shackles on his hands, seven weights on his shoulders, weighty fetters on his legs, a belt weighed down by a pound of metal, and there were some other little things - one and a half hundred crosses on his body and an iron stick with which he beat himself.

But the main thing was not the ascetic life of the Monk Irinarch, but the gift of clairvoyance, which allowed the Boris and Gleb recluse to foresee the future.

So, he predicted the invasion of the Poles to Tsar Shuisky, and then suggested to him the moment of the victorious offensive. And he himself, unafraid, predicted right to his face that he would be killed if he did not leave Rus'. Saint Irinarch blessed the campaign and army of Dmitry Pozharsky to fight the invaders.

Holy spring of Irinarch

Near the village of Kondakovo, which is forty kilometers from the Borisoglebsky Monastery in the Yaroslavl region, there is a source dug by the hands of the young Irinarch, before he became a holy recluse.

The spring is located in the forest, the cold healing water slightly smells of clay - the soil around it is clayey. The holy spring of Irinarch does not freeze; believers come here in winter and summer for healing from illnesses. There is a comfortable bathing area nearby. This spring water is believed to cure infertility, skin and heart diseases.

Every year before the celebration of the day of Elijah the Prophet, which is celebrated on August 2, a crowded religious procession comes from the walls of the monastery to the source. Pilgrims follow the cross, banners and icon of St. Irinarch for four whole days, while taking turns putting on the chains of the recluse of Rostov...

Hello, Borisoglebsky village!

Eighteen kilometers north of Rostov Veliky is one of the regional centers of the Yaroslavl region - the village of Borisoglebsky.

After the establishment of the monastery and as it flourished, settlements of artisans and peasants began to grow near its walls. They grew up, but they didn’t grow up. If Sergiev Posad grew into a full-fledged city from the same settlements, then this did not happen here - there was no large and rich trade route nearby.

We left the car in the parking lot, went out into the open space, and the weather ruined our mood. The wind was blowing almost gale force.

A black and white long-tailed magpie that was sitting on a tree suddenly decided to fly across the square. We stared at the white-sided bird - my daughter is a big bird lover. And we see - the poor thing waved and waved its short wings, and the wind kept blowing it to its original place. She chirped something angrily, turned around and flew in the opposite direction - it’s not for nothing that they say that the magpie is a smart bird.

Something spiky was falling from the sky. I immediately didn’t want to go anywhere. But they planned to start the inspection from all three monuments of the village - to Prince Pozharsky and the monks - Peresvet, and Irinarkh. But don’t leave without a sip! Having cowered and gathered their will, they went to the walls of the monastery.

Forest Kremlin – Boris and Gleb Monastery

The road leads to the northern wall of the monastery. Along it there are shopping arcades from the century before last.

A lace and patterned gate with the Sretenskaya Gate Church leads into the monastery itself. Monumental and beautiful, with five domes, a carved gallery and twisted columns, it is a pleasant yellow-orange color. It is decorated with white belts and also white multi-layer platbands. Two round towers with faceted tops guard it on either side.

Ancient terracotta walls made of stone surround the monastery, forming an irregular quadrangle with a perimeter of just over a kilometer (1040 meters). Their thickness is impressive - three meters, and their height ranges from ten to twelve meters. The ensemble is complemented by 14 powerful towers - 9 round and 5 square, which rise to a height of 20 to 40 meters.

Inside the wall there is a large space where only a few buildings stand, but many trees are planted. It feels like it’s unusually good here in the summer.

The great builder, Bishop Iona Sysoevich

Initially, the monastery was built of wood; under no circumstances could these buildings have survived to our time. You can read about how long wooden buildings last.

The first stone church in the name of Saints Boris and Gleb was founded on the site of a dilapidated wooden one in 1522. What appears before us now - the walls and buildings - were made through the efforts of the creator of the Rostov Kremlin, the tireless creator, Metropolitan Jonah. He was neither an outstanding preacher nor a famous theologian, but he was a builder whose sense of harmony and taste never wavered.

Jonah Sysoevich decorated the metropolis with magnificent churches and buildings. He carried out large-scale work at the Boris and Gleb Monastery, rebuilt existing buildings and built new ones, creating that monastic ensemble that has survived to this day, which can compete with the best examples of world architecture.

However, the first impression of the monastery is bewilderment.

Why was such a powerful fortress needed among dense forests? It’s hard to believe that the smart and practical Iona Sysoevich erected powerful walls of such thickness and height solely for the sake of beauty. No, there's definitely something going on here.

Or maybe Patriarch Nikon really had an idea to put church power above secular power?

And for this reason it was necessary to surround Moscow with a ring of monasteries, which were essentially super-powerful military fortresses? And Metropolitan Jonah of Rostov acted within the framework of the patriarchal master plan and only the unexpected death of the main organizer changed everything? Only some time after her did the Metropolitan dare to violate the rules of his former idol...

Temples and main buildings of the monastery of the stern and courageous

1. The Church of Boris and Gleb is small, four-pillared, single-domed.
2. Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a refectory.
3. The Holy Gates and above them the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh are wonderful buildings.
4. In the center of the courtyard stands a stone three-tiered belfry, on the lower floor of which there is the Church of St. John the Baptist, and hanging bells can be seen in the openings of the upper tier.
5. The gate and gateway church of the Presentation of the Lord are a magnificent example of decorative architecture of the 17th century.
6. Cell of St. Irinarcha - stuck her butt to the wall of the monastery near the tower.

You can't stop looking at it enough, however

Paths were laid inside the courtyard, but not a single living creature was observed in the entire domain of the Boris and Gleb Monastery. Only at the entrance did a single monk hurriedly walk past us, pointing to the Cathedral of Boris and Gleb: “It may still be open there.”

But the doors there were already locked. And not only there, in the monastery absolutely all the doors were closed, no matter where we tried to enter. It definitely wasn't our day.

Somehow I felt sad: we weren’t able to climb the walls or the tower, we couldn’t go inside the churches or see the museum exhibitions.

We walked around the area aimlessly for some time. The complete desertion, unpleasant for the residents of the metropolis, and the uncomfortable weather with its damp cold literally squeezed us out of here. If it weren’t for the wind, the silence would probably be simply frightening. And we left.

We decided for ourselves: the Boris and Gleb Monastery is a place where you definitely need to go again, but only when it’s warm.

Photos by S.M. Prokudin-Gorsky

At the beginning of the 20th century, a certain Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorsky lived in St. Petersburg and he had a hobby - photography. Moreover, he took photographs in color. And this was half a century before the invention of color photography! Each photograph was captured by three cameras with different filters onto three separate glass plates.

One day, the finest hour came in his life - Nicholas II himself saw his work. The owner of the Russian land instructed him to take photographs of the entire empire. Work began to boil, and then suddenly a revolution broke out. The photographer, taking his family and some of the photographs, fled abroad. In the end, need forced him to sell the collection to the Library of Congress, where it was forgotten for a long time.

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Address: Russia, Yaroslavl region, Borisoglebsky village
Date of foundation: 1363
Main attractions: Cathedral of Boris and Gleb, Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Belfry, Church of the Presentation of the Lord
Shrines: list from the Lydda (Roman) Icon of the Mother of God, Security Banner of Sapieha
Coordinates: 57°15"31.1"N 39°09"09.3"E

In the small regional center of Borisoglebsk near Rostov there is the old Borisoglebsky monastery. It was founded here, near the Ustye River, in the 14th century and survived many difficult trials. The monastery, surrounded by pine forests, amazes with the grandeur and beauty of the preserved ancient temples and revered shrines. And many pilgrims flock to them, especially during the famous Irinarchsky procession.

History of the Rostov Boris and Gleb Monastery

Accurate documentary data about the time of creation of the monastery has not survived to this day. The very first to build a home for himself on the banks of the Ustya was the hermit Fyodor, who came here from near Novgorod. Three years later Pavel joined him. These two monks became the first residents of the new monastery.

South Gate and Sergius Gate Church

In 1363, Sergius of Radonezh came to Rostov land in order to pacify the enmity between local princes. This was the period when Rus' began to noticeably strengthen, preparing to deal a decisive blow to the Horde. And it was important to achieve the unity of the fragmented principalities for joint political and military actions. For these purposes, fortress monasteries began to be built along the perimeter of Rus'.

Fyodor and Pavel visited Sergius of Radonezh and asked him for assistance in establishing a new monastic monastery. He, in turn, convinced Prince Konstantin Vasilyevich, who then ruled in the Rostov land, of this. The decision was made, and the holy noble princes Boris and Gleb, especially revered in Rus', were chosen as patron saints of the monastery.

According to its geographical position, the monastery was on the northeastern borders of the growing Moscow state. It grew quickly, gathering monks and artisans, and soon the first wooden churches and cells were built here. And the territory of the monastery was surrounded by a large fortified wall, which served for several hundred years, protecting it first from the Tatars, and then from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders.

The fame of the new monastery very quickly spread far and wide, and pilgrims came to the monastery from all sides. When visiting his native places, the Monk Sergius of Radonezh visited here. In the monastery, fleeing the persecution of Yuri of Zvenigorod, the Great Moscow Prince Vasily II the Dark found refuge. And later, within the walls of the Borisoglebsk monastery, he even baptized his son and heir - the future Russian Tsar Ivan III.

Sretenskaya Gate Church

According to widespread legend, it was within the walls of the monastery that the legendary Peresvet became a monk. All the rulers of Rus' belonging to the Rurik dynasty, as well as the first sovereigns of the Romanov family, who revered this monastery as their “home”, showed their special favor to it. As a result of such special royal favor, the monastery turned into one of the largest land owners in Russia. It owned 360 rural settlements and 22,000 acres of land.

A special page of the monastic history is connected with the life of the Monk Irinarch (1547-1616), who in the world bore the name of Elijah. Until the age of 30, he was engaged in trade, and then took monastic vows at the Boris and Gleb Monastery. In subsequent years, this monk led the life of a recluse and did not take off his heavy chains. To receive the blessing of Irinarch, Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky came to the monastery.

The monastery survived almost the entire 18th century without any major shocks, flourished and became the center of the Boris and Gleb settlements. Traditional lavish fairs were held around it and local crafts developed.

But at the end of the 18th century, events occurred that greatly influenced the further history of the monastery. By order of Tsarina Catherine II, part of the monastery settlements was immediately confiscated in favor of the royal favorite, Count Orlov. In subsequent years, many of the valuables stored in the Boris and Gleb Monastery were stolen and sold, and its well-being was under threat. Subsequently, the monastery was never able to restore its former power and grandeur.

Sretenskaya Gate Church from the inside of the monastery

With the advent of Soviet power, years of persecution of religious institutions began, and in 1924 the monastery was abolished. A branch of the Rostov State Museum was located in its premises. At this time, many ancient icons and bells were destroyed. And only thanks to the intervention of the People's Commissariat for Education, the destruction of the monastery belfry was avoided. Those valuables that managed to be transported to the Moscow Tretyakov Gallery or to the Yaroslavl Kremlin were nevertheless saved. But most of the ancient utensils and relics were irretrievably lost. Divine services in monastery churches nevertheless continued until 1928.

Since the 30s of the last century, the monastery housed the local police, a post office, a savings bank, warehouses for storing flax and grain, and even a confectionery production. Only the buildings of the Annunciation Church and the abbot's building belonged to museum exhibitions. The museum was even closed for the period from 1954 to 1961. True, later the entire monastery territory was returned to him. During these years, large restoration and restoration work began, thanks to which it was possible to return architectural monuments to their original image.

In 1994, part of the monastery territory was given to the Orthodox Church. And in 2015, the entire monastery was completely transferred to her management.

Fortress walls

Architectural monuments of the Rostov Boris and Gleb Monastery

The very first stone buildings on the territory of the monastery appeared in the 16th century. The Boris and Gleb Cathedral, made of stone, was founded in 1522 by decree of Tsar Vasily III where a wooden temple of the same name stood before him. The merits in the construction of the beautiful cathedral are attributed to the then famous architect Grigory Borisov, who two years later participated in the construction of the Annunciation Church on the monastery territory. Near the wall of the Boris and Gleb Church there is a tomb in which Pavel and Fyodor, who founded the monastery, are buried.

This cathedral was rebuilt many times. As in many Orthodox churches, over time its sub-room roof was replaced with a modern hipped roof. This coating was cheaper and more practical, but did not change the appearance of the church building for the better. During the reconstruction of the Boris and Gleb Cathedral carried out in 1925, evidence was found that it was once even made with five domes.

The stone Annunciation Church was also built in the 16th century as a refectory church on the site where a wooden church stood before it. A century later, it was also subjected to major alterations.

In addition, a stone two-story abbot's building, erected in the 16th century, was preserved on the territory. This was a great rarity and spoke of the wealth of the monastery. Since in other places in those days, monastery buildings were made only of wood. To the north of the abbot's chambers there is a one-story building for the brethren, in which monks and novices lived.

Inner courtyard of the Rostov Boris and Gleb Monastery

The monastery was surrounded by a brick wall during the reign of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. At the beginning of the 17th century, during the Time of Troubles, it was this defensive line that met the approaching Polish-Lithuanian army. But historians have different versions about the outcome of the confrontation. Some believe that the monastery was conquered and plundered, others that the Poles were forced to retreat. There is also a legend that the Monk Irinarch managed to convince the Poles, led by Hetman Sapega, not to touch the monastery. What is known for certain is that after the invasion the monastery fortifications were rebuilt.

What makes the monastery very expressive is not only the defensive walls with powerful towers, but also the majestic gate churches - Sergievsky (1679) and Sretensky. Climbing up the monastery fortifications, you get an excellent overview of the entire territory and the surrounding area.

Current state and mode of visiting the Rostov Boris and Gleb Monastery

The territory of the monastery is open to free visits from 7.00 to 20.00. Photographing the brethren and the interior decoration of churches during services is possible only with the permission of the abbot of the monastery.

Now the abbot and ten monks live in the monastery. They have their own small garden and apiary. There is also a church shop and a museum that introduces the centuries-old history of the monastery. For groups of pilgrims or tourists, you can book a tour.

Belfry

Today, tourists and pilgrims strive to visit the cell built into the monastery wall, where Irinarch the Recluse lived, as well as the tomb with his relics. The revered chains, cap and whip of St. Irinarch, unfortunately, were lost during the Soviet era.

The monastery annually hosts the Irinarchovsky readings and the Irinarchovsky religious procession, held since 1997 and highly revered by believers, which starts from the walls of the monastery and goes to a source located 40 km away.

Divine services begin on weekdays at 7.30, on Sundays and holidays - at 8.00. The end of the evening service on weekdays is 19.00, on Sundays and holidays – 21.00-21.30.

Several monasteries bearing the name Boris and Gleb, however, the monastery in Dmitrov is unique. Next to it is a monument to the holy brothers, and it is interesting that both of them stand on the same pedestal and are depicted riding horses.
The monastery itself houses such shrines as the relics of the evangelists Luke and Matthew, the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, John Chrysostom, St. George the Victorious, Saints Peter and Fevronia, as well as a piece of the Holy Cross. Unfortunately, in Soviet times the relics of Gleb and Boris were lost.
During this period, the monastery was closed, many shrines were looted and destroyed, but today the architectural ensemble has been restored, supplemented with modern buildings: the Blessed Water Chapel, the Chapel of the Descent of the Holy Spirit (built in honor of Dmitrov’s anniversary). On the territory of the monastery there is a poultry house and pheasant farm; it attracts with its coziness and abundance of greenery and flowers.

Where is the Boris and Gleb Monastery located?

How to get to the monastery

• First of all, you need to get to Dmitrov itself. This can be done from the capital by train from Savelovsky station, as well as by bus, which runs from the Altufevskaya metro station, flight number - 401. You can get there and by car, moving along Dmitrovskoye Highway.
• It is most convenient to use in the city public transport: minibuses No. 40, 3, 36, 11, 30 or buses No. 63, 1, 54, 10, 45, 22, 41 and 2 will take you to the monastery. In all cases, you must get off at the “Ulitsa Minina” stop.

Visit to the monastery

Although services are held in this monastery every day, it is better for tourists to arrange a visit and excursion in advance. This can be done by calling the church store, which is open seven days a week.
Note, that in the monastery excursions are conducted exclusively from 10.00 to 15.00. It is at this time that visitors are told about the past and present of the monastery, its shrines, and the life of Boris and Gleb.

Important! A visit to the monastery requires an appropriate appearance: for women, this is a covered head and a skirt or dress covering the knees; for men - modest appearance, trousers, not shorts, bare head.

On the territory of the monastery there is Water Chapel, where everyone can get blessed water.
The refectory is open until 18.00.

Schedule of services of the Boris and Gleb Monastery in Dmitrov

note that akathists are served alternately to the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”, as well as to Saints Gleb and Boris.

Where to stay nearby

• Since there is no monastery hotel at the monastery, pilgrims and tourists should find a place to spend the night in Dmitrov in advance. The closest place to the monastery is Hotel "Four Crowns", which has 11 rooms, a restaurant and a swimming pool.
• You can also stay at apartments on Shkolnaya, hotels Dmitrov Grad, Crystal.
• Another option - rent housing in the private sector of the city.

History of the Boris and Gleb Monastery in Dmitrov

1. The Borisoglebsky Monastery was founded almost at the same time as Dmitrov himself, in the 12th century, and, according to legend, this was done Yury Dolgoruky. There is no exact information about this, since at the beginning of the 17th century the monastery along with the archive was burned by Polish-Lithuanian gangs.
2. In the early period of its history, the monastery was subordinate to the Moscow princes of Dmitrov, but later came under the hands of the Patriarch and Metropolitan. It was at this time that a stone stone building was erected here Boris and Gleb Cathedral.
3. Later, after the restoration of the monastery, he became residence of the Novgorod Patriarch Nikon, however, at the end of the 17th century, a new fire destroyed a significant part of the monastery, many wooden buildings. They were already erected from stone, and they did it quite quickly. Thus, in the nineties of the 17th century, the architectural appearance of the monastery became the same as it is today. At this time, a stone wall with towers was built around the monastery.
4. In the next century, the pace of construction slowed down somewhat - like other monasteries, Borisoglebsky suffered as a result of Catherine’s reforms, which significantly infringed on the rights of the monasteries.
   

   Did you know? The Boris and Gleb Monastery kept a handwritten chronicle almost until the end of the 19th century.

5. At the very beginning of the 20th century, the monastery began to be restored with funds from local manufacturers. However, the result of the reconstruction did not please Dmitrov’s believers for long: with the advent of the revolution, dark days began for the monastery. Initially, its inhabitants organized an agricultural artel, but it was soon abolished, and the monks were transferred to one of the neighboring monasteries. Nuns from one of the Western Ukrainian monasteries, as well as community sisters from the Ryazan diocese, moved to Dmitrov.
6. Services at the monastery have finally ceased in 1926, and here they opened local history museum. After a while, the territory of the monastery was occupied by the administration of “Dmitlag”. During this period, many monuments were destroyed.
7. Later, military units were quartered in the monastery and various organizations and offices were located. Only in the mid-nineties did the return of the monastery to believers begin. Churches, chapels, and the refectory were gradually restored, the area and the library were cleaned and improved. Today the monastery impresses with its well-kept appearance, rebuilt buildings, and cozy courtyard.

Photo of Boris and Gleb Monastery

• The golden domes of Boris and Gleb Cathedral are visible from afar.
• In the warm season, the monastery is surrounded by greenery.
  
• The thickness of the external walls of the monastery is slightly less than a meter.
  
• The Chapel of the Descent of the Holy Spirit was built for the anniversary of the founding of Dmitrov.
  
• The openwork Water Blessed Chapel attracts the attention of many pilgrims.
  
• Next to the monastery there is a unique monument to princes Boris and Gleb.
  

Boris and Gleb Monastery - video

Boris and Gleb Monastery is almost the same age as Dmitrov. The chronicle of the monastery contains many bright and dark pages, but today the temples have been restored, and the territory pleases with its well-groomed and neat appearance. There are many flowers and trees here, and in the monastery bakery they bake bread, the aroma of which instantly awakens the appetite.