Address: Russia, Yaroslavl region, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Nikitskaya Sloboda, st. Zaprudnaya, 20
Foundation date: c. 1186
Main attractions: relics and chains of the Monk Nikita the Stylite
Shrines: Cathedral of Nikita the Martyr, Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Church of the Archangel Gabriel in the bell tower, chapel
Coordinates: 56 ° 45'40.0 "N 38 ° 51'33.5" E
Cultural heritage site of the Russian Federation
Content:
Lists of monasteries of Pereslavl-Zalessky
The white-stone walls of the Nikitsky Monastery stand to the north of Pereslavl, not far from Lake Pleshcheyevo. According to legend, it was founded at the beginning of the 11th century by the son of Vladimir Svyatoslavovich Red Sun - Boris Rostovsky... Monastic towers and amazingly beautiful temples with silver domes are visible from afar and attract many travelers from different parts of the earth.
Nikitsky Monastery from a bird's eye view
The history of the Nikitsky monastery from its foundation to the 17th century
Modern inhabitants living in the Nikitsky monastery adhere to the version that it was founded in 1010. It was then that the son of Vladimir Svyatoslavovich Boris, together with Bishop Illarion, began to establish the first Christian churches around Lake Pleshcheevo. It is believed that one of these temples was the first monastic abode, which was created to spread the Christian faith among the pagans.
And the monastery was dedicated to the Great Martyr Nikita. This saint is also called by Christians Nikita of the Gothic, since by origin he was a Goth and was born on the Danube expanses. According to church chronicles, Nikita died as a martyr in 372, and was later canonized by the Christian church as a saint.
View of the Nikitsky Monastery
If we rely on literary sources, then until the Mongolian period in the history of Russia, Nikitsky monastery is not mentioned anywhere. Only in the biography of Nikita Stylpnik from Pereslavl, compiled in the 15th century, are the first facts about the life of the Nikita male monastery given.
Exactly after the appearance of the Monk Nikita within its walls, the monastery gained great fame and popularity in the Pereslavl lands. It happened at the end of the XII century... According to the biography, Nikita was a repentant sinner and lived in a monastic monastery in humility and prayer. He possessed the gift of healing, wore metal chains and a stone hat. And he even dug a deep pillar-well, at the bottom of which he prayed tirelessly.
Left: northwest tower, Cathedral of Nikita the Martyr, bell tower with the Church of the Archangel Gabriel. Right: Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin
For this he received the nickname Stylite. Here, in the monastery, Nikita was killed under strange circumstances and buried by monks in the church of the Great Martyr Nikita.
At the end of the 15th century, the Monk Daniel, the founder of the Holy Trinity Danilov Monastery, lived for a short time in the Nikitsky monastery. Later, the monastery gained great strength, thanks to Ivan the Terrible, who many times came to Pereslavl on a pilgrimage. The tsar was very afraid of the betrayal of his guardsmen in the Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda and began to prepare for himself a new fortress, which could be used as a spare. He ordered the construction of high stone walls with towers and loopholes, as well as stone buildings in the monastery. In addition, the tsar transferred numerous patrimonial lands to the monastery - villages and villages along with the peasants who lived there.
From left to right: Cathedral of Nikita the Martyr, a chapel on the site of the prayer feat of Nikita Pereslavsky, a bell tower with the Church of the Archangel Gabriel, Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos
There are especially heroic pages in the history of this monastery. During the Time of Troubles, the monks successfully withstood the first attack of the Polish army in 1609... And two years later, in 1611, although the defenders bravely repulsed the blows of the Polish-Lithuanian army of Jan Sapieha for 15 days, the enemy still managed to break through the monastery walls. The monastery was ravaged and burned, and most of its defenders were killed.
This was an example of a real feat. Indeed, at the same time, the Borisoglebsk Monastery, more powerful in its defensive capabilities, frightened the enemy, surrendered to his mercy without a fight. The damaged walls of the Nikitsky monastery were restored only after more than 30 years. And the towers were rebuilt anew already in the 19th century.
Nikitsky monastery in the XVIII-XX centuries
Pilgrims who came to the monastery were always in a hurry to see the pillar of the Monk Nikita, his stone cap and iron chains. They were believed to have a healing effect..
Chapel on the site of the prayer feat of Nikita Pereslavsky
In the 18th and 19th centuries, construction work at the monastery continued. First, a chapel was erected over the pillar of Nikita, then a high bell tower appeared in the monastery. And in the 60s of the XIX century, the chapel of Nicholas the Wonderworker was added to the Annunciation Church, as well as stone service buildings. With the advent of Soviet power, the monastery was closed, the values from it were transferred to the Pereslavl Museum, and later the unique monastery iconostasis was burned. In different years, the premises housed a school for children, a women's colony, residential apartments, a holiday home and various state institutions. In the 60s-70s of the last century, the reconstruction of the monastery began, and since 1993 it became active again.
Old churches and buildings on the monastery territory
The Nikitsky Cathedral became the main temple of the monastery. This four-pillar five-domed church was erected by decree of Tsar Ivan the Terrible (1561-1564). And its southern limit is the stone church of Nikita the Stylite, built even earlier, at the behest of Ivan the Terrible's father, Vasily III. The four-pitched roof for this large temple was made later, in the 18th century. And for symmetry, on the north side of the church, the All-Saints side-chapel was added.
Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin
The building of Nikitsky Cathedral is monumental, majestic and very light and spacious inside. Its central dome is much larger than the others. After restoration work in the 60s and 70s of the last century, the central dome unexpectedly collapsed in the late 1980s. Now the temple has been completely restored, and restoration and construction work on its interior decoration is nearing completion.
Not far from the main church is the Annunciation Church with the refectory, which was erected and rebuilt in the 16th-17th centuries. Numerous alterations are evidenced by the fact that the decorative decoration of the floors of this temple is different. It is believed that Peter I stayed here during his first visits to Pereslavl.
A tent-roofed bell tower, standing on an octahedron (1668), is attached to the refectory. "Rumors" of the tent of this bell tower are laid, and the platform, where the bells and ringing are located, has wide arched openings around. This old bell tower is not the only one in the Nikitsky monastery.
Bell tower with the Church of the Archangel Gabriel
The second, much higher one, is located above the entrance gate. It was built at the beginning of the 19th century and has three tiers. As a later construction, it differs from the general architectural style of the Nikitsky Monastery.
Near the monastery there is a small brick chapel crowned with the head (1702). It is believed that it was erected on the site where the miraculous healing of the Chernigov prince Mikhail Vsevolodovich took place.
The monastery is surrounded by white stone walls. They were lined up for defensive combat and have loopholes for firing from three levels. To strengthen the strength of the monastery walls, Ivan the Terrible ordered to fasten the bricks with a special mortar, and lay out the bottom of the base from strong boulders. The towers at the bends protrude significantly out of the walls.This allowed the defenders to control and freely shoot the entire distance between the towers along the entire perimeter of the walls.
Monastery well
The current state and regime of visiting the Nikitsky monastery
Today 15 monks live in the monastery. You can get to the territory of the monastery any day from 7.00 to 20.00. Morning services are held at 7.30 am and evening services at 4 pm. All services are held in the Annunciation Church, since Nikita Cathedral is still under restoration. For pilgrims, there is a hotel with stove heating and outdoor amenities, designed for 50 places. Anyone can take photos and videos on the territory free of charge. Only monks and church services cannot be filmed.
In the refectory of the monastery, you can buy fresh kvass and pastries. And near the monastery they sell delicious smoked fish, including vendace, from Lake Pleshcheyevo.
About a kilometer from the monastery, in a small ravine, there is Nikita's spring and covered fonts - separate for men and women. This is a place of constant pilgrimage for believers, since the local water is considered healing.
Nikitsky Monastery
How to get to Nikitsky monastery
The monastery is located at the address: Pereslavsky district, village Nikitskaya Sloboda, st. Zaprudnaya, 20. Since the monastery is about 3 km from the main road, it is easier to get to it by taxi. If you wish, you can take a bus from the city along the highway to Yaroslavl before turning to the Nikitsky Monastery. And from there walk to the monastery.
