According to chronicle sources, the Spassky Monastery in Murom is the most ancient abode of Holy Orthodox Russia. In 2006, the monastery turned 910 years old, only the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is older than it.
Short story
For the first time, the Spassky Monastery was mentioned in the annals of 1096 in connection with the death of Izyaslav Vladimirovich, the son of Vladimir Monomakh, in the princely civil strife.
Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery from a bird's eye view
The townspeople buried the murdered Izyaslav in the monastery of the Holy Savior. According to legend, the monastic monastery arose in the place where in 1013-1015 stood the princely court of one of the first Russian saints - Prince Gleb.
First, a wooden Church of the Savior appeared here, and later a monastery arose around it, which received the name "Spassky that on Bor". Another version says that on the high bank of the Oka, where the Spaso-Preobrazhensky monastery now stands, the baptism of the Murom pagans took place.
Church of Kirill Belozersky
During the Tatar-Mongol invasion, Murom and his monasteries were devastated. In 1351, Prince Yuri Yaroslavovich began the restoration of the monastery. According to the chronicle, the prince "renewed his city, his patrimony by Murom, which had been neglected since the time of the first princes, his boyars, nobles, and merchants set up their courtyards and the holy churches were renewed with icons and books."
Cathedral of the Transfiguration
Temples of the Transfiguration Monastery
In 1552, on the eve of the Kazan campaign, Ivan the Terrible visited Murom. Having won the victory, the tsar sent an artel of architects to Murom, and one by one, stone temples began to be built in the city. At the same time, the magnificent Savior Cathedral arose on the high bank of the Oka. Ivan the Terrible established a "community" in the monastery and granted the monastery extensive land holdings. Despite numerous reconstructions, the Cathedral of the Holy Savior has retained its austere appearance of beauty. This monolithic, five-domed, green-white-black building, like a huge ark, floats in the blue of the sky. Its domes are already visible from afar to tourists arriving in Murom from the Oka side.
Church of the Chersonesos Hieromartyrs in the fraternal corps
From the north, the cathedral is adjoined by a two-storey refectory Church of the Intercession, built in 1691 at the expense of Metropolitan Barsanuphius. The first floor is reserved for household needs; there is a bakery, a cookery and pantries. The second floor is occupied by a spacious, light church.
Shrines of the Transfiguration Monastery
Among the shrines of the monastery, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hearken", brought from Mount Athos in 1878, is especially revered.... She is loved by the people for the speedy fulfillment of petitions, deliverance from troubles and miracles of healing. Many parishioners notice how the icon changes its face.
Church of Basil, Bishop of Ryazan at the rector's house
On the days of church holidays, such as Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, her face is light and joyful, and when sad events occur, her face becomes sad. Soldiers and contract soldiers serving in Chechnya come to the monastery to pray in front of the icon of St. George the Victorious with an ancient reliquary containing the holy relics of the great martyr. The icon of Seraphim of Sarov with a part of his relics is also revered by pilgrims. A sculptural image is kept in the cathedral church of the monastery Ilya Muromets, placed in a shrine together with a piece of relics received from the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The figure of the hero was recreated from the incorruptible remains of the Monk Ilya.
Chapel of St. George the Victorious
Revival of the monastery
At the end of the 19th century, in the eastern part of the monastery, there was a necropolis where the city nobility, wealthy merchants and clergy were buried. In Soviet times, the monastery cemetery was destroyed. Today a chapel-ossuary stands in its place. It is scary to look into it: in the underground niches are the skulls and bones found during the excavations of the necropolis. In 2008-2009, the monastery was overhauled with funds allocated by the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation. Thanks to the labor of monks and benefactors, the monastery has now been revived from ruins. Temples have been restored, gardens have been laid out.
Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin
The cages contain partridges and peacocks. A bakery has been opened on the territory of the monastery... In the monastery store you can buy tasty, cheap bread, and in the refectory, you can have an inexpensive and satisfying meal.
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