Description of the attraction
Sergius of Radonezh, who lived in the 14th century and was canonized as a saint in the 15th century, founded a monastery near Moscow, which was later named the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. The first courtyard of the monastery in Moscow was founded during the lifetime of the monk, and the church consecrated in his honor was erected shortly after his canonization, approximately in the first half of the 15th century.
The lands were granted to the monastery by Prince Dmitry Donskoy, whom Sergius of Radonezh blessed to fight the Horde temnik Mamai. In 1460, on the territory of the courtyard there was already a stone church, the side-altar of which was consecrated in honor of the Monk Sergius of Radonezh. Later, a temple was added to it, which was connected by covered passages with the royal chambers. At this place, the courtyard existed until the 60s of the 18th century, then the monastery lands were seized by the decree of Catherine II to accommodate state institutions. Later, the Armory was erected on this site, and the previous buildings were demolished.
The new courtyard of the Trinity Monastery is located on the banks of the Neglinnaya River. These lands were granted to the monastery at the beginning of the 17th century by Tsar Vasily Shuisky. In the settlement formed there, a wooden Trinity Church with side-chapels was built in honor of the Monks Sergius and Nikon of Radonezh. At the beginning of the 19th century, this courtyard became the permanent residence of the rectors of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, who paid attention to the arrangement of both the courtyard itself and its church.
In the early 30s of the last century, both the courtyard and the church were closed. The upper part of the building was destroyed near the church, and a warehouse itself was located in it, which was then given to creative teams - a music hall and an academic symphony orchestra. The revival of the courtyard took place in the 90s. Currently, in the restored Church of the Life-Giving Trinity, there are two more side-chapels - in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God and the wonderworkers of Radonezh Saints Sergius and Nikon.
