Ferapontov Monastery and unique frescoes of Dionysius. Ferapontov Monastery and unique frescoes of Dionysius Ferapontov Luzhetsky Monastery

Towering over the village of Ferapontovo, it is an ensemble of unique beauty, which is a historical monument of world significance. At the moment it is included in the UNESCO list. The history of the monastery is directly related to those significant events that took place in Moscow in the 15th-17th centuries. Here, in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin, many frescoes, made by the famous icon painter Dionysius, have been preserved.

Monastery Ensemble

The Ferapontov Monastery was built on a hill between the lakes Borodaevsky and Pavsky, which are connected by a small river Paska. Its ensemble harmoniously combines architectural details of various centuries. Of particular interest is the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin. This is the main church of the monastery, the construction of which began in 1490. Not far from the Cathedral, the Church of the Annunciation was built in 1530, and in 1640 the construction of the Church of St. Martimian began.

How the monastery was founded

Ferapontov was founded in 1397 by Ferapont, a descendant of the ancient Poskochin family. The saint took tonsure at the Simonov Monastery in Moscow at the age of forty. Here he became friends with Reverend Cyril Belozersky. Together they listened to the sermons of Sergius of Radonezh, who often visited the monastery. Fulfilling obedience, Ferapont went north to Beloozero. The saint liked the harsh northern region, and a little later he decided to return there for exploits. This time they went north together with St. Cyril. Here they founded the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery.

After some time, Ferapont founded his monastery on a hill between the Pavsky and Borodaevsky lakes. At first he lived in a cell built by him in a hermitage. He had to endure many hardships. Over time, monks began to come to him, who also built cells here. So gradually this place turned into a monastery.

Heyday

The Ferapontov Monastery became widely known thanks to the efforts of the Monk Martinian, a disciple of Cyril Belozersky, who, at the insistence of the brethren, became its abbot. The most famous representatives of the Russian nobility once came here to worship - Elena Glinskaya, Ivan IV, Vasily III and others. In the XV-XVI centuries. the most prominent figures of the Russian Church came out of the walls of this monastery - Bishop Philotheus of Vologda and Perm, Bishop Joasaph of Yaroslavl and Rostov and others. Over time, the monastery becomes a place of exile for prominent figures who fought for the supremacy of the Church in the state - Patriarch Nikon, Metropolitan Spiridon-Sava, etc.

Among other things, the Ferapontov Monastery was also the largest patrimony. In the 17th century The monastery owned about 60 villages, three hundred peasants and 100 wastelands.

Devastation

Despite the fact that many stone buildings were erected in the monastery, starting from the 15th and ending with the 17th century, it never became a real fortress. Its fence remained wooden until the 19th century. This was the reason for the destruction of the monastery in 1614 by Polish-Lithuanian robbers. Stone construction was resumed only 25 years after the invasion. It is precisely the fact that the monastery fell into decay that we owe to the preservation of the frescoes in their original form. The monastery was not rich, and therefore the renovation of the murals was never carried out.

In 1798, by the decree of the Synod, the monastery was abolished. In 1904, a monastery was again opened here, but this time for women. It did not last long - until 1924. Nowadays, a museum of frescoes by Dionysius operates on the territory of the monastery.

Icon painter Dionysius

In 1502, the icon painter Dionisy with an artel was invited to the Ferapontov Monastery. His task was to paint the Nativity Cathedral. By that time, Dionysius was already famous and was considered the leading Moscow master. He received his first serious commission between 1467 and 1477. At this time, he was offered to participate in the design of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in 1481, he began to perform another important task - the implementation of icons for the iconostasis of the Assumption Cathedral (Moscow Kremlin). The master coped with the order simply superbly and since then has become the personification of the Moscow school of painting.

Ferapontov Monastery. Frescoes of Dionysius

The frescoes of Dionysius in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin are the only murals of the master that have survived to this day. Before the alterations of the facade in the XVI century. the scenes depicted on it were visible from afar. Michael is depicted on both sides of the gate. The portal is decorated with scenes of the "Nativity of the Virgin" and the fresco "Desus". At the head you can see a medallion with the image of Christ. Above the door, Dionysius placed an image of the Mother of God herself, surrounded by Cosmas of Mayum and John of Damascus. It is this fresco that becomes the beginning of the plot-related images dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. In the central asp, the Mother of God Hodegetria is depicted seated on a throne with angels kneeling before her. There are other frescoes presenting the Virgin Mary to the viewer's attention in the temple. The Ferapontov Monastery is famous, first of all, thanks to the murals of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin.

Features of the murals of the temple

The painting system of the temple is organized very strictly and concisely. The frescoes are made taking into account the architectural features of the building. Another special feature that makes the design of the temple harmonious is the mastery of composition. This can be attributed both to the placement of frescoes, and to each individual plot. The drawing is distinguished by the flexibility of the lines and at the same time their conciseness. All images look weightless, directed upwards. The murals are crowded and dynamic. In order to consider all the frescoes in the sequence of the plot, it is necessary to go around the entire temple in a circle several times.

Another of the distinguishing features of the frescoes of Dionysius is the softness of colors and elegance. The images are dominated by white, sky blue, yellow, pink, cherry and light green tones. For the background, the icon painter used mostly bright blue. Paints were supposedly delivered to the artist from Moscow. The richest in terms of color scheme are the medallions under the drum and on the spring arches. When performing them, both pure colors and mixtures were used.

The murals of the Nativity of the Virgin can be safely called the pinnacle of Dionysius's work. An interesting fact is that all the frescoes of the Ferapontov Monastery were completed in just 34 days (from August 6 to September 8). And this despite the fact that their total area is 600 m 2.

Ferapontov Luzhetsky Monastery

In the 15th century, Beloozero belonged to Prince Andrei, son of Dmitry Donskoy. In 1408, he turned to Ferapont with a request to found a monastery in the city of Mozhaisk. After much deliberation, the saint agrees to become abbot of the new monastery. Built on the shore was called Luzhetsky. In 1420, the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin was erected in it. Not far from the Luzhetsky Monastery, today there is a spring with healing water. They call it the well of St. Ferapont. According to legend, it was discovered by the saint himself.

Saint Ferapont remained in the Luzhetsky monastery until his death in 1426. In 1547 he was canonized as a saint. His relics are still buried in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin. The Vologda and Luzhetsk Ferapont monasteries today are the most valuable monuments of medieval Russian culture.

Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin of the Ferapontov Monastery

Lost in the forests near the White Lake, the Ferapontov Monastery was founded in 1398 by the monk of the Moscow Simonov Monastery Ferapont. In the world known under the name Fedor, he was born in Volokolamsk in the family of noblemen Poskochins. Dreaming of a monastic life from a young age, he secretly left home and took monastic vows at the Simonov Monastery.

Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin

The abbot often gave him various assignments. Once he sent Ferapont to the distant Belozersky side. The stern and thoughtful North captivated the young monk. The thirst for desert solitude in the silence of the northern forests seized him. Returning to the Simonov Monastery, he shared his thoughts with the monk Cyril - the future Cyril Belozersky. “Is there a place on White Lake where a monk can remain silent?” Kirill asked. "There are a lot of them"- answered Ferapont. The die was cast: Cyril and Ferapont decided to leave for the desert side.

Having chosen a place on the shore of Lake Siverskoye, they erected a cross here and dug out dugouts for themselves. After living with Cyril for some time, Ferapont went in search of solitude and settled on the shore of Lake Borodava, in a place "spacious and smooth." Soon other monks began to come here, wishing to share his hermitage. In 1409, Ferapont built a wooden temple in the name of the Nativity of the Mother of God. This is how the Ferapontov Monastery arose.

The famous church writer Pakhomiy Logofet, who visited Ferapontovo in 1461, wrote that the monastery "Great red, many wealthy brethren working". Throughout the 15th century, the monastery was a major spiritual center. A whole galaxy of famous educators and scribes came out of its walls.

The solitude and remoteness of the monastery made it the seat of exiles from persons of high spiritual rank. The first of them was Archbishop Joasaph (Obolensky) of Rostov. In 1488, after a quarrel with Ivan III, he was exiled to Ferapontovo. Joasaph lived in the monastery for about twenty-five years, spending the last years in complete silence.

Some time after the appearance of Archbishop Ioasaph in Ferapontovo, a strong fire broke out in the monastery, during which a holy fool named Galaktion saved the treasury of the archbishop. With these miraculously surviving funds in 1490, the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin was built. It became the second stone building in Beloozero (after the Cathedral of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery).

The cathedral church of the Nativity of the Mother of God of the Ferapontov Monastery is a strict single-domed building, traditional for Russian northern monasteries, in which the traditions of the Novgorod-Pskov school of stone architecture of the 15th century are felt. The cathedral is very sparingly decorated. A massive bell-shaped dome with a small cupola at the end rises above the temple on a wide drum. The cathedral is surrounded by a covered stone gallery, which is adjoined on the western side by a square single-tier bell tower, covered with a low tent.

Twelve years after the construction of the cathedral, in 1502, the famous painter Dionysius and his sons came to Ferapontovo to paint the cathedral. “In the summer of the 7010s (1502) of the month of August at 6 on the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ, the signing of the church began, and ended on the 2nd summer of the month of September 9 ... And the scribes - Dionysius the Icon with his children. O Lord Christ, Tsar of all, deliver them, O Lord, from eternal torment,” reads an ancient inscription on the north wall of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin.

The Cathedral of the Ferapontov Monastery with frescoes by Dionysius has long been included in the treasury of domestic and world art. The frescoes of Dionysius are devoted to numerous scientific studies published all over the world, photo albums, information about them can be found in any publication devoted to ancient Russian painting.

Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin. Western facade frescoes

"In the art of Dionysius,– wrote M.V. Alpatov, - a lot of spirituality, moral nobility, subtlety of feelings, and this connects him with the best traditions of Rublev. Dionysius, like Andrey Rublev, strove to create icons that seemed to radiate light. But at the same time “it has that element of solemnity and pomp that was unknown and alien to Rublev and his contemporaries”.

The latter is not surprising - Dionysius worked a lot in the Moscow Kremlin and took on the spirit of representativeness and splendor that established itself in Moscow when the Grand Duke began to be called the "sovereign of all Rus'."

The date of birth of Dionysius is considered to be 1440. The successor to the work of Andrei Rublev, a brilliant painter, whom his contemporaries called the "principal artist", "more glorious than anyone else", worked a lot in Moscow and the monasteries near Moscow. In 1467-1476 he painted frescoes and icons in the Pafnutiev Borovsky Monastery, in 1481 he painted the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, then he worked in the Moscow Spaso-Chigasov Monastery and in the Kremlin Resurrection Monastery, after 1485 he painted icons for the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady of Joseph-Volokolamsky monastery, in 1500 - in the Pavlo-Obnorsky monastery. In 1502, Dionysius, together with his sons Theodosius, Vladimir and Andrei, created one of the most perfect ensembles of Russian medieval art - the frescoes of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin in the Ferapontov Monastery. By a happy coincidence, these frescoes are the main work of Dionysius that has survived to this day.

Unlike Andrei Rublev, Dionysius was not a monk. There is practically no ascetic beginning in his art. According to the works of the master, it can be judged that Dionysius was an educated person, well-versed in Russian history, who knew the annals and hagiographic literature. In his art, the influence of Byzantium is also felt. The painting of Dionysius is distinguished by a light, spiritual drawing, a richness of colors, and a skillful composition of the painting. “In the art of Dionysius there is nothing sharp, impetuous, talkative, indefatigable,” art historians G. Bocharov and V. Vygolov note. – His painting is deeply contemplative, leads to reflection, reflection, as if answering one of the provisions of the “Message to the icon painter”, a work of the second half of the 15th century, attributed to the pen of the famous figure of the Russian church, Joseph Volotsky. It is necessary to worship icons, - it says in it, - because "we contemplate the spiritual for the sake of the iconic imagination ... our mind and thought take off towards Divine desire and love." In Ferapontov's paintings, this inner enlightenment and love for a person just sounds.

The painting covers the entire interior of the temple from floor to ceiling. Festiveness, elegance - this is the main mood that determines the impression that the murals of the cathedral make on the viewer. So, in the scene of the wedding feast, the clothes of the feasting, according to P.P. Muratov, “light, festive, decorated with gold and silver brocade and stones, blazing with pink fire, greenery and azure. These are truly “wedding” clothes, and all the art of Dionysius on the walls of the Ferapont Monastery appears to us to be dressed in such wedding, “feast” clothes. Grace and measure, harmony and nobility, harmony and light reign in the frescoes of Dionysius.

The Cathedral of the Ferapontov Monastery was painted, as recent studies have shown, in just 34 days, and not in two years, as previously thought. The main theme of the frescoes of the Ferapontov temple is the unity of the visible and invisible world, the world of people and the world of “incorporeal heavenly forces”. They are sustained strictly in the spirit of the ancient rule: harmony, unity and nothing more.

Ferapontov's frescoes amaze with their color richness and nobility of tones - soft pink, golden yellow, lilac, greenish, lilac-brown and reddish-brown. Despite some muted color, they give the impression of tenderness and transparency of colors. For many years it was believed that colored pebbles and clays of different colors and shades, which can be found on the banks of the Borodavskoye and Paskoye lakes and in the channels of the streams flowing into them, were used as dyes for the frescoes. These pebbles were crushed, ground and kneaded on egg white.

This legend even caused a wave of pilgrimage to Ferapontovo by artists from Moscow, Leningrad and other cities. They looked for similar pebbles and clays and prepared paints from them according to old recipes. But very recent studies carried out by specialists from the Restoration Research Institute have proved that the beautiful story about how Dionysius searched for multi-colored pebbles along the shores of lakes and rubbed them, preparing paints, is nothing more than a fairy tale. Most of the paints of the Nativity Cathedral are not of local origin, they are prepared according to the complex technology of European masters, and such paint could be bought either from overseas merchants or from Russian masters who knew the secret of its preparation.

“Many years of persistent desire to consider the paintings of Dionysius created from local materials is quite understandable,- writes art historian O. Lelekova. - The resulting image of a medieval artist becomes consonant with the "epic-song" idea of ​​Russian art, where icon painting, and even more so wall painting, are built into a completely special kind art like nothing else in the world. However, this image is unreliable, and it is not necessary to regret it. The artistic genius of Dionysius is undeniable even without poetic generalizations, which his European contemporaries did not need: Leonardo da Vinci, Giacomo Bellini, Holbein the Elder, Lucas Cranach ... "

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With. 285 The frescoes are generally in good condition. The restoration of 1738 was carried out rather carefully, and the frescoes were not completely painted over, as was usual in the 18th century, but only refreshed with tempera in those places where the painting had especially suffered from time. There are scuffs and mechanical damage to the top paint layer. For more information about the state of preservation of the frescoes in the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos in the Ferapontov Monastery, see the book: Chernyshev N. M. Fresco art in ancient Rus'. M., 1954, p. 82–84. With. 285
With. 286
¦

Among the murals of the Ferapontov Monastery, there are several stylistic groups (at least four). The strongest and most fine master was undoubtedly the one who painted the entrance wall around the western portal. His compositions are the most rhythmic, his slender figures, distinguished by great grace, at the same time have nothing mannered in themselves, his palette is distinguished by softness and special harmony. This master is still firmly connected with the traditions of the 15th century. His brushes in the church itself can be attributed to the saints in the apse and the half-figure of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the deacon. Probably this master was Dionysius himself, who in 1502 must have been about sixty years old. Among the masters of the older generation was the author of most of the gospel scenes. But his work is immeasurably worse in quality than the frescoes of the entrance wall. This is, undoubtedly, another individual, less gifted and more primitive in his sense of life.

Next to these two groups of paintings, the most numerous is the one that includes the main episodes of the Mother of God cycle (Protection, Rejoices in You), the Praise of the Virgin, the Annunciation, the Meeting of Mary with Elizabeth and most of the illustrations for the Akathist, the Parable of the Indispensable Servant, Marriage in Cana , the best parts of the Last Judgment and the Cathedrals. The style of this group, close to the style of the 16th century, is marked by a special sophistication: thin figures, exaggeratedly elongated proportions, a light, as if dancing step, detailed cutting of the form, an abundance of decorations. The author of the frescoes that make up this group was a younger master than the author of the frescoes of the entrance wall. I would like to identify him with one of the sons of Dionysius - Theodosius. Apparently, the aged Dionysius, although he played a leading role, left most of the work to his sons. The weakest master was the one who wrote the cycle of scenes from the life of Nicholas the Wonderworker and the Conversations of the Three Hierarchs, who suffered from the restoration of 1738. There is something sluggish and artisanal in the hard, little rhythmic compositions he performed.

The murals of the dome, drum, girth arches also reveal a not very skillful hand. It remains to be clarified whether this is the work of the fifth master or one of the masters just listed. If we stop at the last assumption, then we can only talk about the second or fourth master (that is, the author of the gospel scenes or the author of the life of Nicholas the Wonderworker). Dionysius, who headed the artel and corrected all its work, probably acted as follows: he took for himself those murals that occupied the most prominent place in the temple (the entrance wall, apse and conch of the deacon), he entrusted one of his sons (more gifted) to complete the main and most important part of the order (murals of walls and pillars), for another son (who was much inferior to the first in talent) and for an assistant, he assigned the paintings of the altar, deacon, vaults, girth arches, drum and dome, believing that they are less accessible to the viewer . This stylistic classification of the Ferapontov frescoes needs to be checked and clarified. But it can still serve as a starting point in solving one of the most difficult problems in the history of ancient Russian painting.

S. S. Churakov tried to identify in the Last Judgment scene the portraits of famous Italian architects who took part in the construction of the Kremlin - Aristotle Fioravanti and Pietro Antonio Solari (Portraits in the frescoes of the Ferapontov Monastery. - Soviet archeology, 1959, No. 3, p. 99–113) . This hypothesis seems a little convincing, especially since the faces of the alleged "portraits" are not at all individual. Another assumption of S. S. Churakov has more grounds. He is inclined to see in the fresco illustrating the 11th Kontakion of the Akathist of the Mother of God (Singing, everything is conquered), a group portrait of the Dionysius family (the artist himself, his wife and two sons). However, it should be noted that here, too, the faces are by no means portrait in nature. With. 286
¦


81. The parable of the fig tree and the parable of the harlot. Frescoes on the western slope of the northern vault

82. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Fresco in the conch of Nikolsky chapel

[Col. ill.] 107.

[Col. ill.] 108. Dionysius. Archangel. Fresco in the dome

[Col. ill.] 109. Dionysius. Marriage in Cana and Healing of the daughter of Jairus. Fresco on the eastern slope of the southern vault

[Col. ill.] 110. Dionysius. The Miracle at the Wedding Feast, the Widow's Mite and the Healing of the Blind. Fresco on the western slope of the southern vault

[Col. ill.] 111. Dionysius. Virgin with Child. 1502. Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin, Ferapontovo. Fresco in the conch of the apse

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Michelson T. N. Three scenes of "spiritual feasts" in the system of murals on the duct vaults of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos at the Ferapontov Monastery. - In the book: Byzantium and Rus'. [Collected articles] in memory of V. D. Likhacheva. M., 1989, p. 188–193.

Popov G.V. Dionisy's trip to Beloozero. - In the book: Old Russian art. Artistic monuments of the Russian North. M., 1989, p. 30–45.

Orlova M. A. To the history of the creation of the painting of the cathedral of the Ferapontov Monastery. - In the book: Old Russian art. Artistic monuments of the Russian North. M., 1989, p. 46–55.

Lelekova O. V., Naumova M. M. Paintings by Dionysius in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin in Ferapontovo (according to restoration studies). - In the book: Old Russian art. Artistic monuments of the Russian North. M., 1989, p. 63–68.

Gusev N.V. About the initial stages of the work of the masters of the Ferapontov painting. - In the book: Old Russian art. Artistic monuments of the Russian North M., 1989, p. 69–73.

Ferapontovsky collection, no. 3. M., 1991 (articles by V. D. Sarabyanov, V. V. Rybin, S. S. Podyapolsky, M. S. Serebryakova, archim. Macarius, I. P. Yaroslavtsev, O. V. Lelekova, N. M. Tarabukina).

Lifshits L.I. The theme "Entrance to the House of Wisdom" in the painting of the Nativity Cathedral of the Ferapontov Monastery. - State. historical and cultural museum-reserve of the Moscow Kremlin. Materials and Research, XI. Russian art culture XV-XVI centuries. M., 1998, p. 174–195.

Vzdornov G.I. Painting of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin of the Ferapontov Monastery (list of compositions). M. - Ferapontovo, 1998.

Bugrovsky V. V., Dolbilkin N. P., Rolnik I. A. Dionysius. Culture of Moscow Rus'. History lessons. M. - Kyzyl, 1998, p. 111–148 (Chapter 3: “Painting of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos at the Ferapontov Monastery”).

Naumova M. M. Medieval colors. M., 1998, p. 47–53 (Colors of the murals in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin in Ferapontovo).



Arriving in Kirillov, Vologda region, do not miss the chance to see unique frescoes Dionysius, which are almost completely preserved in the Feropont Monastery. I prefer to visit famous monasteries with a guide, so the day before we agreed with a local private guide, who agreed to show several interesting sights, and, of course, the monastery.

In the morning we met with the guide Lidia in the center of Kirillov and went by our car to travel around Kirillov. It takes no more than half an hour to drive from the city to the monastery, during which we listened to the history of the monastery, got acquainted with the exhibits of the museum in absentia from a book, because outside guides cannot conduct excursions on the territory of the Ferapontov Monastery. Of course, we could take a guide on the spot, but then we would not get a full-fledged program.

Around the monastery you can admire Russian nature, I can imagine what a breathtaking picture it is here in the summer.



It is worth saying that visiting the Feropontov Monastery is not a cheap pleasure. Taking into account that we did not take an excursion from the monastery guides, we paid for the entrance to the museum, watching the film and the right to look at the frescoes for about 800 rubles per person. Of the visitors, we were alone, at the checkout our guide tried to hint very transparently that we should not take money in full, but rules are rules. I was struck by the fact that we had to check with the caretakers how long we can watch the frescoes. Usually they allow no more than 10 minutes (and this is for such a lot of money), but we were lucky - they did not limit the time.

Frescoes of Dionysius

At the end of the 15th century, a stone Cathedral of the Nativity was erected on the territory of the monastery. Holy Mother of God, which, by the way, is seven years earlier than in the neighboring Belozersky monastery, which was much richer.

The cathedral was painted by Dionysius, a well-known Russian icon painter. For example, his hand touched the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. The master's style is easily recognizable thanks to bright colors, elongated, light figures, and smooth lines. Dionysius is one of the most famous temple artists in Rus', along with Theophanes the Greek and Andrei Rublev. Thanks to the work of the master and the wonderful preservation of art, the monastery is included in the World Heritage List under the protection of UNESCO.

The murals occupy an area of ​​more than 700 square meters. meters, and this is almost the entire inner surface of the cathedral. Only separate parts of the murals were not preserved, which suffered during the reconstruction of the iconostasis. In general, the frescoes made the Ferapontov Monastery famous throughout the world, as it is the only one where the original frescoes of the early 16th century have been fully preserved.

Before entering, you will be given a map of the frescoes, with the help of which the painting can be “read” even by a person who is not very well prepared.


You can read about paints and painting technology before entering.



In addition to the painting of the temple in the Feropont Monastery, you can watch an introductory film about the frescoes and visit the museum, which contains a number of curious exhibits.

Museum of the Ferapontov Monastery

First we went to the museum, which is a large hall.

For example, here you can see the reconstruction of the cell of a monk according to the charter of Cyril Belozersky, in which there is not even a bed.


In the cell, no one was allowed to have anything except the most necessary things, it was not allowed to call anything one's own, but everything was shared. Even a piece of bread was not allowed to be kept in the cell, just as there should not have been drinks. If a monk wanted to eat or drink, he would go to the refectory, where, with a blessing, he could quench his hunger and thirst.

In the far corner is a sample of the fraternal refectory.


In the refectory, each novice sat in accordance with the rank of seniority in his place with meekness and silence, and no one was heard, only the reader. They were supposed to have three meals, except for fasting days, on which the monks either refused to eat at all, or lived on bread and water.

Behind the display windows you can find a copy of the Cathedral Code of 1649.


Here you can see the icon of Patriarch Nikon, who was in these parts during the period of exile.

This is, presumably, a piece of tiles from Nikon's cell.


Of course, the exposition demonstrates the solemn attire of the priests.


And here are the jobs of Igumeni.



About the founding of the monastery

Ferapontov Monastery was founded in 1398. The monastery is named after the founder of Ferapont, who, before staying here, was a novice in the Simonov Moscow Monastery, and then even became one of the founders of the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery. To find greater solitude, Ferapont went further and settled on a small hill near Borodava Lake.

Here Thepapont built for himself a small wooden cell and lived in solitude with his labors and prayers. But one day the robbers came to him and demanded to give them the treasures or leave this place (surprisingly, how similar it is to an ordinary racket). True, the Monk Ferapont was not afraid of them and shamed them, so much so that the robbers left and no longer disturbed the elder.

People began to come to Ferapont and ask permission to settle nearby. So there was a small settlement, about ten people. But St. Ferapont refused to become hegumen, and the newly minted monastery was headed by another man, whose name history has not preserved. But Ferapont appointed himself the blackest work, as he called himself a "great sinner." He carried water, chopped wood, cleaned stoves. By the way, this is how Sergius of Radonezh lived, who was the mentor of St. Ferapont.

Ten years later, a church was erected here, which was consecrated in honor of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. It seems that everything turned out the way Elder Ferapont wanted: he lived in silence and repentance, prayed, worked, but soon he had to leave the monastery. The prince of Mozhaisk wanted to establish a similar monastery nearby and asked the Monk Ferapont to help him in this. The reverend elder did not want to start all over again, but humility is a virtue that Christians should possess, so Ferapont humbled himself. But at that time he was already seventy years old. It is worth noting that the reverend elder stayed in the Luzhetsky Mozhaisk monastery for another twenty years, there is a church of the Nativity of the Virgin, as well as in Feropontovo, where the elder is buried. Despite the fact that Ferpont spent the last twenty years elsewhere, he is remembered and revered as the Belozersky elder. Around the monastery dear to his heart on Lake Borodava, a village was formed, which to this day is called Ferapontovo, part of Lake Ferapontovsky, and the monastery, which grew up on the site of the first cells, was named Ferapontov.


It is interesting that the Ferapontovsky Monastery always remained in the shadows, as if in the background, but at the same time the monastery had a very great spiritual influence. Here there were kings, princes, famous people, and everyone found here peace and answers to disturbing questions.

After the Monk Ferapont left the monastery, Prince Mozhaisky sent the promised help here, but there was no confessor who would properly dispose of the funds received. Years passed, abbots changed, but the Ferapontov Monastery remained the same as during the life of its founder. But then the Monk Martinian came to the monastery, a disciple of Kirill Belozersky rector of the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery. Reverend Martinian came to this Holy place a simple pilgrim, but his brothers persuaded him to stay here and become rector of the Ferapontov monastery.


In the 15th century, bloody events took place, which, although they occurred in Moscow five hundred kilometers away, were reflected in the Ferapont Monastery. In Moscow, there was a struggle for the throne of the Grand Duke and the then Prince Vasily II was overthrown by Dmitry Shemyak. They took an oath from him on the cross that he would not oppose the new prince, and singled him out. Vasily, who was nicknamed the Dark One because he was blind, came to bow and pray at the Ferapontov Monastery. Here the Monk Martinian freed Basil from this oath and even blessed him to oppose the invader, who illegally sat on the throne of the Grand Duke. The support of the church at that time had great importance, therefore, many supporters joined Vasily the Dark, which sealed the fate of Shemyaka, he had to flee urgently.

Grand Duke Vasily summoned the Monk Martinian to the capital and asked him to take the abbotship at the Trinity-Sergius Monastery. And despite the fact that Martinian did not want to leave Ferapontovo, he, like his predecessor Ferapont, had to take the position of hegumen in another monastery.

After some time, the Monk Martinian returned to the beloved monastery in Ferapontovo and began to arrange it. And for the next twenty he arranged everything here so diligently that everyone marveled. Here he rested in the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin.

At the beginning of the sixteenth century, the Church of the Annunciation was erected with a refectory, which was built in honor of the birth of Tsarevich John, who went down in history as Ivan the Terrible. Approximately at the same time, the Treasury Chamber was built - a unique civil building on the territory of the monastery. Rooms for books, barns were equipped here, a hiding place for the monastery treasury was equipped.

In the Ferapontov Monastery you can see a lot of interesting and unique things, but before you enter the walls of the holy monastery, you will pass through the Holy Gates. It is worth noting that the stone walls, arches, gate churches of Ferapont and Epiphany and even windows have not changed since the day of construction. The floor in the churches is covered with small tiles, the vaults are supported by oak beams, which have already darkened with time, black altar altars.


The fate of the Ferapontov Monastery, similar to many other monasteries that survived Soviet times, was closed. But, fortunately, it did not suffer the fate of being a state farm, the Ferapontov Monastery was transferred to the museum and today it is under the protection of UNESCO. But prayers are still heard here - Nikon's temple has been given to the brethren for worship.

When you arrive Kirillov, you will understand the connection between several holy places located around: Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery , Nillo-Sor desert , Feropontov Monastery and the Goritsky convent, to which we headed further (read about it).

Address: Vologda region, Kirillovsky district, Ferapontovo village, st. Kargopolskaya, 8.

Museum opening hours:

Historical reference:

Ferapontov Belozersky Nativity of the Virgin Monastery was founded at the turn of the XIV-XV centuries, during the expansion of the political influence of the Moscow Grand Duchy, for about 400 years it was one of the prominent cultural and religious educational centers in.

The history of the Ferapontov Belozersky Nativity of the Virgin Monastery, founded at the end of the 14th century, is closely connected with the historical events of the 15th - 17th centuries: the capture and blinding of Grand Duke Vasily II the Dark, the assertion of the power of the first "sovereign of all Rus'" Ivan III, the birth and reign, the formation of a dynasty Romanovs, .

In the second half of the 15th - early 16th centuries, the Ferapontov Monastery became a significant spiritual, cultural and ideological center of Belozerye, one of the famous Trans-Volga monasteries, whose elders provided.

The entire 16th century is the heyday of the monastery. This is evidenced by the preserved contributions and letters of commendation of the secular and spiritual authorities, primarily Ivan IV. Vasily III and Elena Glinskaya, Ivan IV come to the monastery on a pilgrimage. The deposit book of the monastery, begun in 1534, names among the contributors “the princes of Staritsky, Kubensky, Lykov, Belsky, Shuisky, Vorotynsky ... Godunov, Sheremetev” and others. The lords of Siberia, Rostov, Vologda, Belozersk, Novgorod are also mentioned here.

In 1490, with the construction of the first stone church of Belozerye, the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin, by the Rostov masters, the formation of the stone ensemble of the Ferapontov Monastery of the 15th - 17th centuries began. In the XVI century. the monumental Church of the Annunciation with a refectory, a state chamber, service buildings - a stone dryer, a guest chamber, and a cookery are being built in the monastery. After recovering from the Lithuanian ruin, in the middle of the XVII century. the monastery erects gate churches on the Holy Gates, the Martinian Church, the bell tower.

After the destruction by the Nazis during the Second World War of the famous Novgorod churches of the 12th-15th centuries (the Savior on Nereditsa, the Assumption on the Volotovo Field, the Savior on Kovalev, the Archangel Michael on Skovorodka), the murals of Dionysius remained the only completely surviving fresco ensemble of Ancient Rus' of the Moscow school of murals.

The current state of the property:

Currently, the monuments of the Ferapontov Monastery house the Dionysius Frescoes Museum, which has the status of a historical, architectural and art museum-reserve. Since 1975, the formation of a modern museum began, which turned into a research and educational center that spreads knowledge about the unique monuments of the Ferapontov Monastery ensemble through various forms of museum work. At the end of 2000, the ensemble of the Ferapontov Monastery with the paintings of Dionysius was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Frescoes of Dionysius

Dionisy is an outstanding icon painter, the most revered artist of Rus' in the late XV - early XVI centuries, a contemporary of Raphael, Leonardo, Botticelli, Durer. The miraculously preserved wall painting of Dionysius in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos in the Ferapontov Monastery (1490) was unknown until 1898. Dionysius painted the cathedral in 1502, together with his sons Vladimir and Theodosius, in 34 days.

Ferapontov's paintings are not classical frescoes, they are made in the technique of multi-layered painting. The mural area of ​​the cathedral is about 600 square meters. m. The murals of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin, numbering more than 300 plots and images of individual characters, occupy all surfaces of the walls, vaults, pillars, window and door slopes. The dimensions and proportions of Dionysius's compositions are subordinated to the architectural divisions of the cathedral, organically connected with the interior of the temple and the surfaces of the walls. Elegance and lightness of the drawing, elongated silhouettes emphasizing the weightlessness of “floating” figures, as it were, as well as exquisite paints radiating unearthly light and a unique tonal richness of colors and shades determine the uniqueness of Ferapontov’s painting.

The frescoes of the Ferapontov Monastery are united by the common theme of the glorification of the Virgin Mary, headed by the akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos. This is a picturesque embodiment of poetic hymns written by the Byzantine poet Roman the Melodist in the 6th century. The desire to glorify the Mother of God in this way was introduced into the work of Dionysius by the Orthodox tradition. The murals adorn not only the interior, but also the facade of the temple, which depicts the plot - "The Nativity of the Virgin". The theme of the glorification of the Mother of God was not chosen by chance as the basis of the system of murals. At the end of the 15th century, the Mother of God began to be regarded as the patroness of the Russian land.

The restoration of the Ferapontov Monastery debunked the legend that Dionysius used local pebbles in the painting of the cathedral, with which the shores of local lakes were dotted. Microchemical analysis of the mineral raw materials of genuine painting showed that Dionysius, like all other artists, painted with imported paints (probably Italian and German), purchased in bulk at the trading floors of Rostov or Moscow.

Dionysius used both artificial and natural pigments: malachite, poznyakite, atakamite, pseudomalachite. Such a quantity of green copper pigments is not contained in the paintings of any of the studied monuments of Western European painting. There is no such diversity in ancient Russian icon painting, which is the individual handwriting of the master.