Athos metochion in Moscow is a kind ofa link between the Holy Mount Athos in Greece and the ancient capital of the Russian state. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual meaning of such representation, one should take a closer look at the historical traditions characteristic of Russian Orthodoxy.
Monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church most oftenlocated at some distance from the big cities. To the excessive worldly vanity did not distract their inhabitants from what they decided to devote the rest of their days. But in order to maintain business and economic ties with the outside world, some monasteries left their representative offices or courtyards in the cities. Often, the farmsteads belonged to the monasteries owned land and real estate, located on it. To the farmsteads usually belonged to everything that is not directly involved in the performance of church ministry. Economic activity was conducted on the farmsteads, numerous pilgrims who were going to worship the Christian shrines stopped. But the Compound of the Athonite Monastery in Moscow represents in the spiritual sense something much more than just an addition to the holy abode.
In the whole Orthodox and Christian world, this isthe place is considered one of the greatest shrines. In sacred history, it is known as the earthly portion of the Virgin. The Holy Mount Athos is located on the peninsula of the same name in the province of Macedonia, in north-eastern Greece. For many centuries there were monasteries on the peninsula and monks lived. The closest spiritual connection between the Holy Mount Athos and Russian Orthodoxy can be traced for a whole millennium, since the baptism of Rus. Among other things, this is reflected in the fact that Orthodox pilgrims for centuries sought to visit this sacred place. They followed a certain route, stopping on the way at specially designated farmsteads. Such was the historical tradition. In a certain sense, the Athonite metochion in Moscow is one of such symbolic places for stopping pilgrims on their way to the holy land. Of course, its meaning and meaning is much deeper than a simple temporary haven for pilgrims.
Несмотря на глубокую духовную связь Русского Orthodoxy with the Holy Mountain Athos, official representations of the clergy in major cities and both capitals of Russia began to open only in the second half of the nineteenth century. The Athonite Compound in Moscow was established in September 1979 for private donations. There was a representative office in a small nobleman's estate on Bolshaya Polyanka. One of the most significant and authoritative figures in the history of spiritual representation was the rector of the Athonite metochion in Moscow, the Reverend Aristocles.
The service of the elder Aristoclia left a significant markin the Russian spiritual life. It was through him that for many years communication with Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos was carried out. He collected donations for the maintenance of Russian Orthodox monasteries in Greek Macedonia and sent new novices there who chose the difficult mission of Divine service. At the initiative of the holy elder in the Athos Compound in Moscow, a periodical publication, The Tearful Beneficial Interlocutor, was published. This spiritual and religious magazine was respected throughout Russia. In addition, the elder Aristocius had the gift of a spiritual healer and received those in need of his help, who went to him from all over Russia. At the beginning of the twentieth century, two three-storey buildings were built on the compound's territory, which housed charitable institutions, a house church and a library of spiritual literature. But the mission of the Athos monastery in Moscow was interrupted by revolutionary events.
In 1918, the Athos Compound in Moscow was actuallyceased to exist. There was nothing unique in his fate; many other Orthodox churches and monasteries suffered the same fate. Both in Moscow and throughout Russia. This reflected the atheist policy of the Bolsheviks who came to power. For several decades, they methodically destroyed the foundations of Russian Orthodoxy, as well as other religious denominations. The buildings in the compound were given housing, and the prior priest, hieromonk Makarii, was repressed in January 1919.
State policy towards the OrthodoxChurch fundamentally changed only at the end of the twentieth century. During this period, many temples were revived, being in desolation and used for purposes far from their destination. In 1992, the Athos Compound in Moscow resumed its activities. His address has changed; it is now located within the walls of the ancient Temple of Nikita the Martyr on Shvivaya Hill beyond Yauza. This is one of the oldest Moscow churches, during its existence it was subjected to reconstruction and restructuring. But the date on the foundation stone at its base is a year 1595, causing a sense of respect. The mailing address of the temple is Russia, Moscow, 109240, Goncharnaya Street 6.
All any significant religious structuresand organizations can not be represented today in the global information space. It has such a representative office and the Athos Compound in Moscow. The website of the Moscow Patriarchate contains a page dedicated to it.
