This grandiose complex was founded in 1656 near the picturesque Istra River (renamed the 鈥楯ordan鈥 by Patriarch Nikon). Unlike other Moscow monasteries, this one had no military use. The centrepiece is the Cathedral of the Resurrection (袙芯褋泻褉械褋械薪褋泻懈泄 褋芯斜芯褉), modelled after Jerusalem鈥檚 Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After years as a museum, the monastery is now in Orthodox hands and is looking quite spectacular after a recent renovation.
Like its prototype, the Cathedral of the Resurrection is really several churches under one roof, including the detached Assumption Church (校褋锌械薪褋泻懈泄 褑械褉泻芯胁褜) in the northern part of the cathedral. Here, pilgrims come to kiss the relics of the holy martyr Tatyana, the monastery鈥檚 patron saint.
The unusual underground Church of SS Konstantin & Yelena (袣芯薪褋褌邪薪褌懈薪芯 鈥 袝谢械薪懈薪褋泻邪褟 褑械褉泻芯胁褜) has only its belfry peeping up above the ground. Patriarch Nikon was buried in the cathedral, beneath the Church of John the Baptist (褑械褉泻芯胁褜 袠芯邪薪薪邪 袩褉械写褌械褔懈).