The Virgin-Christmas Monastery

The Virgin-Christmas Monastery of the Vladimir Diocese has been known since the XII century and has more than eight centuries of history.

The first brick of the monastery was laid in 1191 by Vsevolod Big Nest. Throughout its history, the monastery occupied a central place in the church life of the country. Before the construction of St. Petersburg by Peter I, the relics of Alexander Nevsky rested in the Virgin-Christmas Monastery. The monastery existed until the 30s of the XX century, when it was destroyed by the Bolsheviks. In its place until 1992 was first the Cheka, then the GPU, NKVD, KGB.

The white-stone decoration of the monastery and the features of Vladimir-Suzdal architecture characterize its architecture. The monastery includes the Church of Christ, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin and the Church of Alexander Nevsky. At the monastery there is a spiritual school. The diocesan administration is also located here.