The Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra

The Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra

General: The Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra is one of the most revered Russian monasteries, the largest religious and cultural centre and a place of holy pilgrimage.

Located: The city of Serguyev Possad, 70 km from Moscow.

Founded: The monastery was founded in 1337 by the Right Reverend Sergius Radonezhsky.

Structure: Within the monastery walls there are 40 buildings and monuments dating back to 14-19th centuries, among which is the Trinity Cathedral (1422), painted by Roublev, the Moscow Ecclesiastical Academy (the oldest higher education establishment in Russia, founded in 1685), the royal family vault of the Godounovs as well as tombs of famous cultural and religious people.

Historical Facts: For centuries the Lavra’s clergy blessed the Russian Army before military campaigns, it was the place of baptism for Russian Crown Princes, in Soviet times the Lavra was closed for about 20 years and held different qualification courses, a theatre, a local museum, and the Academy of Arts. In 1930, the monastery’s 25 bells were broken including the biggest Russia ‘Tsar’ bell. During World War II, it was used as an air-defense observation center. Since the 1950s, the Lavra has functioned as a monastery and a museum.

Museum and Religious Collections: The Lavra contains ancient unique books, treatises and manuscripts, shrines with holy relics, ecclesiastic attire and garments, precious holy vessels and crosses.

Affiliates: Ten metochions and hermitages