A Day Trip to The Holy Trinity: St. Sergius Lavra

We began our day a bit earlier today so that we could take a train ride out in the country to the monastery of St. Sergius. It is like the Vatican City of Russia. We began our journey in the Metro just outside our hotel. Stalin used the best architects and designers to make the Moscow Metro a national symbol of pride and heritage....and also propaganda. I'm not sure the pictures do the artwork justice. Haley said again today, "Russia is even better than I expected." She mirrors my thoughts exactly. I'm not sure Tim would agree but the girls are sold on this place!

The entrance to the Moscow Metro is just 30 steps outside our hotel. It is so convenient!

The ceiling inside our Metro. 

This Metro is deep underground at 45 meters. It is very clean, quiet and orderly.

Inside one of the metro stops. The architecture is beautiful.

Even the lighting is inspiring!

The monastery sits on the hill in the distance.

The clouds gathered as we arrived but it never rained on us the entire day.

Seeing the walled monastery at a distance from the village  that grew up around it.

Dan is very kind to take family pictures for us each day..

This is the Dormition Cathedral built in the 16th and 17th centuries by the czars of Russia.

The blue and gold cupolas are inspiring and beautiful as well.

This is the Cathedral in the name of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity. The second oldest structure at the monastery.

This is one of the mosaic icons in the church.

The crosses on top of the cathedrals are uniquely Russian. Angie bought another cross at the monastery to remember her trip.

The icon-stand separates the priest from the masses as he reads scripture. It reminds us all of the tabernacle and the curtain the separated the priest in the Holy of Holies. Some of the icons date back to the 1300's.

After the fall of communism, this chandelier was moved back to the monastery from Moscow. It weights over one ton and is painted with gold leaf.

The icon-stand.

Haley in front of the icon stand. The artistry is inspiring.

The birds in this sculpture represent the apostles of St. Sergius that spread the gospel all over Russia.

The walls of the monastery withstood attacks by the Tartars and the Mongols.

Last year they celebrated 700 years of the site. There were many improvements since the visit we had in 2010.

Haley was respectful and covered her head as is the tradition for women in the Orthodox Church. Since my luggage still has not arrived, I did not have my scarf nor did I feel inclined to by a new one.

This is the bell tower built by Catherine the Great. As a rule all Czars and Czarinas traveled here twice a year to pray and study.

The is the residence of the patron of the monastery. About 300 monks study here and over 1000 students study at the university run by the monastery.

The frescoes were beautiful and told Bible stories with vivid colors.

The frescoes were "restored" in 2013-14 in honor of the 700 year celebrations.

The middle floor tiles are original to the 1400's.

This the entrance to one of busiest metros in Moscow. Three stations meet within one block and bring travelers from all over Russia. Over 100,000 people each day go through one of the three stations at this intersection.

Shockingly, it is not too busy outside the station.

Train station #2.

The lights were as impressive as the architecture.

A view of a metro station at rush hour.

A mosaic in a metro station. Notice that Jesus is on the banner of the soldier. This was put up during the Stalin regime. The artist fought to have this allowed and won. How inspiring!

We also stopped at a metro stop where the station was decorated with stained glass windows.

Tim and Haley standing in front of a stained glass window. They were stunning.

The mosaics glorified everyday life under Stalin.

Open your eyes Angie!!!

This mural is particularly timely. It shows the people of Kiev, Ukraine welcoming Russian soldiers during the revolution. I'm not sure that Ukrainians of today welcome the invasion of the Russians.

Train station #3.

Angie and Tim in front of the monastery.

Angie and Haley in from the of the Trinity Cathedral.

A picture from yesterday in front of the Kremlin.

From yesterday, Angie and Tim in front of Christ the Savior Cathedral.

Dan is a wealth of knowledge and is always teaching us something new. :)

Bronze statues in one of the metro stations. This one glorifies girls learning at school.

Haley on Red Square at night. St. Basil's in the background. The Kremlin on the right and the GUM department store on the left.

 Tim and Haley in front of the Gum Department Store at night. The lights make the square look magical.

Goodnight from Red Square. One of my favorite places!

So glad that Haley is loving Russia as much as I do.

We have had a lovely day touring the monastery with Dan and going to Red Square this evening. We had a delicious dinner at Luciano's. Since it doesn't get dark until after 10:30, and we had to wait until dark to get the pics at Red Square, it is well after midnight and my clock is saying it's time for bed. So goodnight from Moscow. Tomorrow is the Kremlin and Bolshoi Theater, etc. Goodnight from Russia.