What is the Donskoy Monastery and where is it located?

The Donskoy Monastery is a significant monastery situated in Moscow, Russia. It is an important religious and historical site within the city.

When was the Donskoy Monastery founded, and what event does it commemorate?

The Donskoy Monastery was established in 1591. Its founding commemorates Moscow's successful defense against the threat of an invasion by Kazy-Girey, the Crimean Khan.

What was the strategic purpose of establishing the Donskoy Monastery?

Positioned along the highway leading to Crimea, the monastery was strategically built to defend the southern approaches to the Moscow Kremlin, acting as a fortified outpost.

On what specific site was the Donskoy Monastery constructed?

The monastery was built on the location where Boris Godunov's mobile fortress and Sergii Radonezhsky's field church, featuring Theophan the Greek's icon 'Our Lady of the Don,' had previously stood.

What is the legend associated with the 'Our Lady of the Don' icon and Dmitry Donskoy?

According to legend, Dmitry Donskoy carried the 'Our Lady of the Don' icon with him during the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380. This icon is believed to have played a role in the subsequent Tatar defeat.

What was the initial condition of the Donskoy Monastery after its establishment?

Initially, the Donskoy Monastery was relatively poor and had only a small number of monks. Its economic resources were limited in the early years.

What were the monastic landholdings and peasant households recorded for the Donskoy Monastery in 1629?

As of 1629, the Donskoy Monastery possessed 20 "wastelands" and 16 peasant households, totaling 20 peasants. This indicates a modest economic base at that time.

What historical event involving Jan Karol Chodkiewicz occurred at the Donskoy Monastery in 1612?

In 1612, during a period of conflict, the Polish-Lithuanian commander Jan Karol Chodkiewicz occupied the Donskoy Monastery for a single day.

Describe the Battle of Donskoy Monastery in 1618.

The Battle of Donskoy Monastery in 1618 involved Russian Cavalry clashing with Ukrainian Cossacks led by Petro Konashevych. The battle concluded with a victory for the Cossacks.

What administrative changes affected the Donskoy Monastery in the mid-17th century?

In the mid-17th century, the Donskoy Monastery was temporarily attached to the Andreyevsky Monastery. However, its independence was restored in 1678.

What was the economic and administrative status of the Donskoy Monastery after its independence was reinstated in 1678?

Following the reinstatement of its independence in 1678, the Donskoy Monastery received substantial donations, including over 1,400 peasant households. In 1683, it was elevated to the rank of archmandrite and granted additional lands.

Which other monasteries were administratively linked to the Donskoy Monastery between 1683 and 1685?

Between 1683 and 1685, the Vidogoshchsky, Zhizdrinsky, Sharovkin, and Zheleznoborovsky monasteries were attached to the Donskoy Monastery.

Who was buried in the Great Cathedral's vault starting in 1711?

Beginning in 1711, the vault of the Great Cathedral served as a burial place for Georgian tsarevichs of the Bagrationi family and Mingrelian dukes of the Dadiani family.

What was the economic standing of the Donskoy Monastery by 1739?

By 1739, the Donskoy Monastery had grown significantly, possessing 880 households with 6,716 peasants, 14 windmills, and several fisheries, indicating considerable economic activity.

What was the proposed plan for the Slavic Greek Latin Academy in 1747, and how did the monastery respond?

In 1747, authorities considered relocating the Slavic Greek Latin Academy to the Donskoy Monastery. However, the monastery opted to financially support the academy by paying the staff salaries from its own treasury instead.

Who was Archbishop Ambrose (Zertis-Kamensky), and what happened to him in 1771?

Archbishop Ambrose (Zertis-Kamensky) was a religious figure who was killed within the walls of the Donskoy Monastery during the Plague Riot in 1771. This riot was a period of civil unrest triggered by a plague epidemic.

How did the French invasion of Russia in 1812 impact the Donskoy Monastery?

During the French invasion of Russia in 1812, the French army plundered the Donskoy Monastery. Most of its valuable possessions had been relocated to Vologda prior to the invasion to protect them.

What was the monastic population of Donskoy Monastery by 1917?

By 1917, just before the Russian Revolution, the Donskoy Monastery housed 48 monks and 2 novices.

What occurred at the Donskoy Monastery following the October Revolution?

After the October Revolution, the Donskoy Monastery was closed by the Soviet authorities. It ceased its religious functions for a significant period.

What role did Patriarch Tikhon play in the Donskoy Monastery after his arrest?

Between 1922 and 1925, Patriarch Tikhon was held under house arrest within the Donskoy Monastery. Upon his release, he chose to remain living in the cloister.

When were the relics of Saint Tikhon discovered, and where are they now displayed?

Saint Tikhon's relics were discovered following his canonization in 1989. They are now exhibited for veneration, displayed in the Great Cathedral during the summer and in the Old Cathedral during the winter.

How did the Donskoy Monastery become a repository for items from other religious sites?

Soviet authorities moved remnants from numerous monasteries and cathedrals that they had destroyed or repurposed to the Donskoy Monastery. These items were collected from various locations across Moscow.

From which specific Moscow landmarks were items transferred to the Donskoy Monastery?

Items were transferred to the Donskoy Monastery from the dynamited Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Church of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker in Stolpy, the Church of the Assumption on Pokrovka Street, and the Sukharev Tower, among other sites.

What was the function of some Donskoy Monastery facilities in 1924?

In 1924, a portion of the Donskoy Monastery's facilities was repurposed and occupied by a penal colony designated for children.

What notorious activity took place at the Donskoy Monastery between 1934 and the 1950s?

Between 1934 and the 1950s, the Donskoy Monastery was used for the unmarked burial of individuals executed and cremated by the secret police. This practice was part of state-sanctioned repression.

When was the Donskoy Monastery returned to the Russian Orthodox Church?

The Donskoy Monastery was returned to the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1992, following the collapse of communism and the establishment of the Russian Federation.

What significant task was undertaken over the decade following the monastery's return to the Church?

In the ten years after its return to the Russian Orthodox Church, comprehensive lists were compiled detailing those buried within the monastery graveyard and other sites in and around Moscow.

Who personally initiated the construction of the Donskoy Monastery's first cathedral?

Boris Godunov personally laid the foundation stone for the monastery's first cathedral, which was consecrated in 1593 to the holy image of Our Lady of the Don.

Describe the architectural style of the first cathedral built at Donskoy Monastery.

The first cathedral, consecrated in 1593, was a diminutive structure typical of Boris Godunov's reign. It featured a single dome crowning three tiers of zakomara, which are decorative semicircular or triangular gables.

When were additions made to the first cathedral, and what did they include?

In the 1670s, two symmetrical annexes were added to the original cathedral. Additionally, a refectory was constructed, leading to a tented belltower.

What is the history of the iconostasis in the first cathedral?

The iconostasis in the first cathedral was executed in 1662. It was originally part of one of the Moscow churches that were later demolished by the Communists.

What was the fate of the first cathedral between 1930 and 1946?

From 1930 to 1946, the first cathedral of the Donskoy Monastery was closed for religious services and was utilized as a factory during this period.

When was the New (or Great) Cathedral constructed, and for what initial purpose?

The New (or Great) Cathedral, also dedicated to the Virgin of the Don, was begun in 1684. It was initially intended as a votive church for Tsarevna Sophia Alekseyevna.

Who funded the construction of the New Cathedral after Tsarevna Sophia Alekseyevna fell into disgrace?

After Tsarevna Sophia Alekseyevna lost favor, the construction of the New Cathedral was continued and funded by private donations.

What influence from Ukraine is evident in the architecture of the New Cathedral?

The New Cathedral features an arrangement of five domes positioned according to the four cardinal directions, a style characteristic of Ukrainian church architecture, which was unusual for Moscow at the time.

How did Old Believers react to the architectural design of the New Cathedral?

The Old Believers took offense at the New Cathedral's five-dome arrangement, considering it a deviation from traditional Russian church architecture. They referred to the cathedral as 'Antichrist's Altar'.

Who carved the iconostasis of the New Cathedral, and when was it created?

The ornate, eight-tiered baroque iconostasis of the New Cathedral was carved by Kremlin masters between 1688 and 1698.

What is the central piece of the New Cathedral's iconostasis, and what is its significance?

The central piece of the New Cathedral's iconostasis is a copy of the Virgin of the Don icon, painted in the mid-16th century. This highlights the monastery's connection to this important religious image.

Who painted the frescoes in the New Cathedral, and what makes them notable?

The frescoes in the New Cathedral were executed by Antonio Claudio between 1782 and 1785. They are notable for being the first frescoes in Moscow painted by a foreign artist.

What architectural style influenced the monastery's walls after its defensive importance diminished?

After losing its military significance, the monastery's walls were redesigned in the red-and-white Muscovite baroque style, drawing comparisons to the Novodevichy Convent.

When were the monastery's towers and crowns added, and what style did they reflect?

Eight square and four circular towers, adorned with red-blood crowns, were erected between 1686 and 1711. These additions contributed to the monastery's baroque appearance.

What is distinctive about the Holy Gates of the monastery, built in 1693?

The Holy Gates, completed in 1693, are topped with the Tikhvin church, notable for its intricate wrought iron grille.

When was the belfry erected over the western gates of the monastery?

A tall belfry was constructed over the western gates of the Donskoy Monastery between 1730 and 1753. Its design is sometimes attributed to Pietro Antonio Trezzini.

Which aristocratic families established burial vaults within the Donskoy Monastery?

Several high-ranking aristocratic families chose the Donskoy Monastery for their burial vaults, including the Princes Zubov, Princes Galitzine, and the Pervushin family.

What is the significance of the Alexander Svirsky Church within the monastery's necropolis?

The Alexander Svirsky Church, built between 1796 and 1798, served as a sepulchre, specifically as a burial vault for the Princes Zubov.

Where were the Princes Galitzine interred within the monastery?

The Princes Galitzine were buried in the Archangel Church, which was constructed between 1714 and 1809.

What notable feature characterizes the old necropolis within the Donskoy Monastery?

The old necropolis, located in the southeastern section of the monastery, is distinguished by its ornate tombs, many of which were created by prominent Russian sculptors.

Which historians and cultural figures are buried in the old necropolis?

The old necropolis contains the tombs of historians Mikhail Shcherbatov and Vasily Klyuchevsky, the critic Vladimir Odoyevsky, the architect Osip Bove, the painter Vasily Perov, and the courtier Alexander Dmitriev-Mamonov.

Who is interred beneath the old katholikon of the Donskoy Monastery?

Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow is interred beneath the old katholikon (the main church building) of the Donskoy Monastery.

What happened to some of the tombs from the old necropolis during the Soviet era?

During the Soviet period, some of the tombs from the old necropolis were relocated by authorities to the Shchusev Museum of Architecture, making them inaccessible to the public.

Donskoy Monastery Wiki: Donskoy Monastery: Moscow's Sacred Sentinel

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

Historical Trajectory

Founding and Purpose

Established in 1591, the Donskoy Monastery was commissioned by Tsar Feodor I of Russia. Its strategic placement was intended to defend the southern approaches to the Moscow Kremlin, specifically commemorating Moscow's deliverance from the anticipated invasion by the Crimean Khan Kazy-Girey. Initially, the cloister was modest, housing only a few monks and possessing limited landholdings.

Early Conflicts and Growth

The monastery faced early challenges, including a brief occupation by Polish-Lithuanian forces in 1612. A notable engagement, the Battle of Donskoy Monastery in 1618, saw a Cossack victory. Over subsequent decades, the monastery received significant donations, leading to its elevation to archmandrite status and the attachment of other monastic institutions, signifying its growing importance.

Imperial Era Developments

During the Imperial period, the monastery became a significant burial site for members of the Georgian Bagrationi dynasty and Mingrelian Dadiani family. It absorbed the property of the Andreyevsky Monastery in 1724. By the mid-18th century, it was a substantial ecclesiastical estate. The monastery also experienced turmoil, including the death of Archbishop Ambrose during the 1771 Plague Riot and subsequent ransacking by Napoleon's army in 1812, though valuable items had been relocated beforehand.

Soviet Period and Transformation

Following the October Revolution, the monastery was closed. Patriarch Tikhon resided here after his release from arrest in the 1920s, and his relics were later discovered and are now venerated. In a controversial move, Soviet authorities transferred remnants of destroyed churches and cathedrals from across Moscow to the monastery grounds. Facilities were repurposed, including a penal colony for children and, most grimly, unmarked mass graves for victims of secret police executions between the 1930s and 1950s.

Post-Soviet Revival

The monastery was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1992. This period saw the meticulous compilation of lists of those interred within its grounds and the eventual marking of mass graves. The monastery has since been restored, becoming a significant center for religious life and historical remembrance, including the reburial of prominent figures from the White Emigre community.

Architectural Evolution

Early Structures

The initial cathedral, consecrated in 1593 and dedicated to the holy image of Our Lady of the Don, was a modest structure characteristic of Boris Godunov's reign, featuring a single dome atop three tiers of zakomara. By the 1670s, symmetrical annexes and a refectory leading to a tented belltower were added. The iconostasis, dating from 1662, was later relocated from a demolished Moscow church.

The Great Cathedral

Initiated in 1684 under Tsarevna Sophia Alekseyevna, the New (or Great) Cathedral, also dedicated to the Virgin of the Don, was completed with private funding. Its design, influenced by Ukrainian masons, notably features five domes arranged in a cruciform pattern, a departure from Moscow tradition that led some Old Believers to dub it "Antichrist's Altar." Its ornate baroque iconostasis was crafted by Kremlin masters between 1688 and 1698, housing a 16th-century copy of the Virgin of the Don icon. The cathedral's frescoes, executed by Antonio Claudio (1782–1785), were among the first in Moscow painted by a non-Russian artist.

Fortifications and Later Additions

The monastery's defensive walls were later remodeled in the distinctive red-and-white Muscovite baroque style, echoing the aesthetics of the Novodevichy Convent. Eight square and four circular towers, crowned with red battlements, were erected between 1686 and 1711. The Holy Gates, constructed in 1693, are surmounted by the Tikhvin Church (1713–1714), notable for its intricate wrought iron grille. A substantial belfry was added over the western gates between 1730 and 1753, possibly based on designs by Pietro Antonio Trezzini.

The Necropolis: A Repository of Souls

Aristocratic and Notable Burials

The Donskoy Monastery served as the final resting place for numerous aristocratic families, including the Zubovs, Galitzines, and Pervushins, whose mausoleums are integrated into chapels like the Alexander Svirsky Church and the Archangel Church. The old necropolis is distinguished by its elaborate tombs, crafted by prominent Russian sculptors, marking the graves of influential figures across arts, philosophy, and history, such as poets Mikhail Kheraskov and Alexander Sumarokov, philosophers Pyotr Chaadaev and Ivan Ilyin, historians Vasily Klyuchevsky and Mikhail Shcherbatov, architect Osip Bove, painter Vasily Perov, and the infamous Daria Saltykova.

Reburials and White Emigre Legacy

In the post-Soviet era, the monastery became a site for the reburial of prominent Russian figures who had emigrated after the 1917 revolution. Individuals like writers Ivan Shmelyov and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, military leaders Vladimir Kappel and Anton Denikin, and philosopher Ivan Ilyin were reinterred here, choosing the monastery over sites associated with the Soviet regime. This practice underscores the monastery's role as a sanctuary for national memory.

Soviet-Era Executions and Memorials

A significant and somber aspect of the monastery's history is its association with the Soviet secret police. Between the 1930s and 1950s, many executed political prisoners were cremated, and their ashes interred in unmarked graves within the monastery grounds. A new necropolis, inaugurated in 2010, contains mass graves memorializing these victims, serving as a stark reminder of the site's complex past.

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio

Click here to open the "Donskoy Monastery" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about donskoy_monastery while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

ashikaga shogunate

kahi debe sandesh

national police of colombia

chittagong hill tracts

References

Lists of those shot in Moscow 1937-1952: The Donskoe cemetery [crematorium], edited and compiled by Seleznyov, Yeremina, and Roginsky, Memorial: Moscow, 2005 (596 pp).

A full list of references for this article are available at the Donskoy Monastery Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date. Historical and architectural details have been presented with academic rigor, but verification against primary sources is always recommended for scholarly pursuits.

This is not professional historical or architectural advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for consultation with qualified historians, architects, or religious scholars. Always refer to official documentation and consult with experts for specific research needs.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

Donskoy Monastery: Moscow's Sacred Sentinel

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Historical Trajectory 📜

👑 Founding and Purpose

⚔️ Early Conflicts and Growth

🏛️ Imperial Era Developments

🧱 Soviet Period and Transformation

🕊️ Post-Soviet Revival

Architectural Evolution 🏛️

⛪ Early Structures

✨ The Great Cathedral

🛡️ Fortifications and Later Additions

The Necropolis: A Repository of Souls 💀

⚰️ Aristocratic and Notable Burials

🕊️ Reburials and White Emigre Legacy

⚖️ Soviet-Era Executions and Memorials

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Explore More Topics

📜 Discover other topics to study!

References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Historical Trajectory

Founding and Purpose

Early Conflicts and Growth

Imperial Era Developments

Soviet Period and Transformation

Post-Soviet Revival

Architectural Evolution

Early Structures

The Great Cathedral

Fortifications and Later Additions

The Necropolis: A Repository of Souls

Aristocratic and Notable Burials

Reburials and White Emigre Legacy

Soviet-Era Executions and Memorials

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice