Raifa Monastery

Raifa Theogoroditsky Monastery was built in the XVII century, 30 km from Kazan by the holy hermit Philaret. It is the largest active male monastery of the Kazan Russian Diocese. Before the fire in 1689, the monastery was wooden. Stone ensemble began to form from the XVII-XVIII centuries. Between 1690 and 1717, the now-existing serrated turrets and walls were built. They stretch along the perimeter for more than 0.5 km and form a picturesque monastery Kremlin. In 1918, the monastery was officially closed, in the 1940s a prison for political prisoners was placed on its territory, and later a colony for juvenile criminals.

In 1991, the monastery was officially revived. In August 1991, the Georgian Icon of the Mother of God was returned to the monastery, and the first liturgy was held. Until now, three beautiful churches have been preserved on the territory of the monastery – the Cathedral in honor of the Monk Fathers in Sinai and Raif, the Cathedral in honor of the icon of the Mother of God, and the Trinity Cathedral. Also on the territory of the monastery there are many flower gardens and sculptures created by professional sculptor V. N. Saveliev.