Mozhaysk, City of Military Glory

6 points19 km0 hours

Mozhaysk is a town with a rich history, surrounded by hills and forests. Its old fortress walls and churches recall its past as a defensive stronghold on the approaches to Moscow. The Battle of Borodino was fought nearby, and the area keeps the memory of the War of 1812. Mozhaysk is an easy trip from the capital and a way to explore important chapters of Russian history.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

📜 Learn the city's history
📚🎬 Recall films and books

Route points (6)

St. Therapont Monastery in Mozhaysk

Point on route “Mozhaysk, City of Military Glory”

Point 4

St. Therapont Monastery

🕍 Place of worship • 📜 Historic site

Historical Background

The Luzhetsky Monastery of St. Therapont is the only one of Mozhaysk's ancient monasteries to have survived to this day. It was founded in 1408 by St. Therapont of Belozersk, a disciple of St. Sergius of Radonezh, at the request of Prince Andrey of Mozhaysk. The monastery became the spiritual and defensive center of the town's western outskirts. Its first stone building, the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, was rebuilt in the 16th century, and in 1524–1547 a new five-domed church that survives today went up in its place.

The Architectural Ensemble

The monastery's present appearance took shape by the 17th century. It includes the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Church of the Presentation with refectory chambers, the gate church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, a bell tower, a stone wall with towers, and gates. The abbot's buildings, monks' cells and the foundation of Therapont's house survive. The monastery served as a fortress more than once during sieges.

Recent History

After the monastery closed in 1922, its grounds housed a factory, warehouses and workshops. Restoration began in the mid-20th century, but for a long time the complex remained abandoned. In 1994 the monastery was returned to the church and services resumed. In 1999 the relics of St. Therapont were uncovered. Today the Luzhetsky Monastery belongs to the Odintsovo diocese and its restoration continues.

The Holy Spring

Nearby, in the village of Isavitsy, is the well of St. Therapont. According to tradition, the founder of the monastery himself discovered the spring, and its water is considered healing. Bathing fonts have been built by the well, and pilgrims come from all over the Moscow region.