Davidova Monastery is a monastery in the Moscow region.
Its official website contains a lot of information for pilgrims; here you can familiarize yourself with the schedule in detail and find out what time a specific service takes place.
David's Ascension Monastery belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Location
Why is the monastery called a desert, because the proverb says that a holy place is never empty? Previously, this was the name given to a secluded Orthodox monastery, or skete, or cell, located in a deserted area. It was empty all around, there were no human settlements - that’s why there were deserts. But time makes its own adjustments - now the Ascension David’s Hermitage is not a separate building, but a whole complex, which includes several temples and churches, buildings of abbots and brotherhoods, a chapel and a bell tower, and there is also a linden grove, which was planted by the founder himself.
Important to know: next to the complex there is a hospital, a monument to special forces soldiers and a WWII memorial, and across the stop there is a grocery store.
Address of David's Hermitage: Moscow region, Chekhov district, near the village of Novy Byt. It belongs to the rural settlement of Barantsevo. Nearby are the villages of Golygino, Kolychevo, Semenovskoye, Pronino, Stary Spas and others.
The nearest large cities are Chekhov and Serpukhov. The Lopasnya River flows nearby. Molodezhnaya Street runs next to the complex: it connects the Simferopol Highway (M-2) and the A-108 Highway.
History of the monastery from the beginning of its foundation
The history began in the 16th century, when the foundation of the monastery began in June 1515. The construction was supervised by the Reverend David, and the project was blessed by the Reverend Joseph of Volotsky.
The founder of the monastery comes from the princely family of Vyazemsky, his former name is Daniil.
As a young man, he left his father’s house and went to the Pafnutyevo-Borovsky Monastery, and 20 years later he founded the David’s Hermitage. The lands on which it was built belonged to the godfather of Vasily III, Prince Starodubsky.
Please note: the first records about the desert appeared only in early XVII centuries in the monastery memorial book, but some historians doubt its authenticity due to errors.
The further fate of the complex was eventful: the monastery was attacked by the Lithuanians and was destroyed. It was restored only 6 years later, after Tsar Mikhail Romanov issued benefits for its reconstruction.
After 30 years, Patriarch Nikon assigned her to the New Jerusalem Monastery of the Resurrection, but a few years later, by decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, she was expelled. By that time, the monastery owned a metochion (representative office) in Serpukhov and Moscow, as well as in Moscow and Kolomna districts.
With the coming to power of Peter the Great, the situation changed for the worse: due to the reforms, the income of temples and churches began to flow into the treasury, the brethren received only a small part. All possessions were given to the treasury. David's hermitage was assigned first to the Chudov Monastery, then to the Zlatousov Monastery.
In the second half of the 18th century, the monastery became separate and was maintained at its own expense. The Moscow Chapel of Christ the Savior, in which the miraculous image of the All-Merciful Savior was located, was assigned to it. The chapel generated significant income due to the constant influx of pilgrims.
David's hermitage successfully existed for several centuries until the advent of the Soviet Union.
The monastery was closed in 1929, when about 100 monks lived there. Some of the brethren were repressed, the rest dispersed on their own. The authorities used the premises for other than their intended purpose: an agricultural technical school was moved here, warehouses and garages were set up, and a club was founded.
The Soviet red flag was hung on the bell tower, and a gym was located in the Assumption Cathedral. The cemetery where representatives of noble families (the Obolenskys, Golovkins and others) were laid to rest, the bells and domes of the churches were all destroyed.
Take note: The technical school students themselves were placed in the monastery of the monks; the foundation for the floors was made from gravestones.
David's Hermitage became a venue for discos and anti-religious debates, and atheist societies gathered here.
Current state of the monastery
Restoration began in the 90s of the twentieth century: residents of Novy Byt gathered an Orthodox community, to which the state transferred the rights to the Spassky Cathedral. At the same time, fundraising for restoration began. After 3 years, abbot Herman came to the monastery, having managed to “work” as rector of the Intercession Church.
In 1995, the first liturgy took place, and at the behest of the Holy Synod, monastic life was resumed.
The parishioners presented the monastery with a seven-bell belfry, and after 2 years the restoration of the entire complex began.
The restoration took several years. Today, almost all the buildings have been successfully restored and are functioning, but some churches are still undergoing repairs.
Unfortunately, the monastery cannot boast of an absolutely impeccable reputation: at one time there were rumors that the abbot accepted significant donations from people with dubious reputations, whose graves are today in his cemetery. Also in beginning of XXI century, Abbot Herman was killed in his cell, the monastery safe was looted. The culprit was never found.
Description and architectural features
The first building appeared in the David Hermitage at the beginning of the 16th century: the Monk David settled here with 4 monks and erected the first wooden buildings. They became 2 churches, a refectory and cells for the monks themselves.
Afterwards, other buildings appeared: they all make up a wonderful ensemble, made in the same style.
Pilgrims and visitors note that the entire territory of the monastery is clean and well-groomed; it has its own pond in which fish swim.
The main colors of the complex are warm - white, yellow, pink. The churches are domed, decorated with stucco and mosaics. On the territory of the monastery there is a monument to the hero Patriotic War with Napoleon - to General Dokhturov.
Cathedral of the Ascension
It is also called the Ascension Cathedral. This is the first stone structure that began to be erected under Ivan the Terrible. However, the cathedral was never completed: after some time it was dismantled and rebuilt again.
The opening took place in 1682, and with the advent of USSR power, the agricultural technical school was moved here. The building was restored only at the end of the 20th century and re-consecrated in 2003.
Interesting fact: In the altar of the Ascension Church there is a particle of the relics of the venerable confessor Maxim the Greek.
The cathedral is made of snow-white stone and topped with 5 domes, the central drum is a light one. His appearance is quite strict and more restrained, especially compared to his “neighbors”.
Due to changes in the original plan and reconstruction, the building has an internal layout unusual for a Russian church: the northern and southern naves are covered with tray vaults. At the beginning of the 20th century, the cathedral had a five-tier altar - it was restored.
St. Nicholas Church
Its history began in the first half of the 18th century, when it was decided to consecrate a new church, adjacent to the Ascension Cathedral.
However, already at the beginning of the 19th century it had to be dismantled and rebuilt again: it was decided to “move away” slightly from the “neighbor” and at the same time build a kitchen and a fraternal refectory. Afterwards, a spiritual oven was built there.
At the end of the 19th century, a fire started: the funeral table and the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir burned down, the floor burned, and the iconostasis became heavily smoked. All the damage was repaired, and in the 10s of the 20th century the church was consecrated again.
In the Soviet Union, it was given over to a local club: it hosted discos and anti-religious meetings. The domes were destroyed and were restored only at the end of the 20th century. The rededication took place in 2004.
St. Nicholas Church, made in the style of classicism, is painted in a light peach color and decorated with snow-white stucco molding, garlands, masks and mosaics with images of seraphim. The building itself is rectangular, on top there is a semicircular “roof” (pediment), a drum and one gilded dome. In the east, the church is adjacent to a semicircular apse equal to the width of the main building.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This is the second church built that has survived to this day. It was built in 1740 above the northern gate on the site of an old church that was literally falling apart.
A refectory was set up right there. At the beginning of the twentieth century, a four-tier iconostasis was installed in the church, which was updated just a century ago. During the Soviet Union, a gym was built here.
Historical fact: In the first half of the 19th century, during the construction of a new iconostasis, the Metropolitan ordered all surviving old icons to be distributed to poor churches.
The “bottom” of the church is a quadrangular base on which an octagon is installed. The structure is crowned with a “roof” and a drum with one dome. This is a snow-white building, decorated with columns and pilasters.
Znamenskaya Church
It is a kind of center of the main church ensemble, although it looks smaller than the rest. It was consecrated in honor of the icon of Our Lady of the Sign.
At first, in its place there was a wooden chapel in which Father David was buried; in the 30s of the 18th century, a stone bell tower was erected instead. In 1740, thanks to the diligence of the wife of adviser Bobrishchev-Pushkin, permission was obtained to build the cathedral.
In the middle of the 19th century, the cathedral was dismantled and the current church was built in its place. During the USSR, warehouses and garages were built here. After restoration, the church was consecrated in 1999.
Interesting fact: The most famous shrines of the temple are a particle of the Nail of the Crucifixion of the Lord, the head of the Baby of Bethlehem and the relics of St. Sergei of Radonezh.
Construction began and ended in the 60s of the 19th century. The church is small, quadrangular, topped with one dome. It's painted bright yellow and decorated with white kokoshniks and pilasters.
Cathedral of the All-Merciful Savior
It is also called the Spassky Cathedral. It appeared only in 1900 on the site of the refectory church.
Like other buildings, it was transferred by the Soviet government to serve as a technical school. Restoration began in the 90s, consecration took place in 2004, but restoration work is still underway.
Tourist Information: here are the relics of the Robe of Christ and the Virgin Mary, the relics of Prince Alexander Nevsky and other saints.
Externally, the cathedral looks very elegant: it is painted peach and richly decorated with white decorative elements, as well as elongated windows. At its base lies a quadrangle, on top there is a massive light drum and one dark dome. The space is decorated with 4 small domes from the north and south, an apse adjoins it from the east, and a refectory from the west.
Church of All Saints
It is located behind the group of main temples (as seen from the gate), near the fraternal buildings. It was erected at the beginning of the twentieth century; during the years of Soviet power, the canteen of the local technical school was located in it.
The restoration of the temple began at the end of the twentieth century; today it is completely restored and operational. It was consecrated in 2003.
Important to know: The iconostasis depicts little-known saints: Savva Stromynsky, Konstantin Bogorodsky and others.
At first glance, it may seem that the building bears little resemblance to a temple: it is elongated, with a small dark drum decorated with beautiful gold paintings, and a small dome. The walls are bright yellow with snow-white decorations.
Belfry
It rises above the main gate, after passing through which you can immediately see a group of 4 main cathedrals - Ascension, Spassky, Znamenskaya and St. Nicholas churches. It is located in the middle of the western wall. The bell tower was built in the mid-19th century and is 70 meters high.
The building was made in the Russian-Byzantine style: an octagonal cylinder was placed on the gate, a round cylinder was placed on top of it, and a golden dome crowned everything on top. Between the last cylinder and the dome there is a striking clock: it “looks” in 4 directions and every hour plays one melody from church hymns.
There are 7 bells on it, which were donated by parishioners at the end of the 20th century. Historians note that the octagonal tier was built as if there were to be bells in it, but whether they actually were there is unknown.
Shrines of the Ascension David Hermitage
In the monastery you can find more than 200 holy objects: relics of saints and parts of their clothing. The most valuable and famous include:
- Relics of Saint David, patron saint of the desert;
- Particles of the robe of Christ and the Virgin Mary;
- Head of the Baby of Bethlehem;
- Piece of Nail from the Cross of Christ;
- Particles of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker, Prince Alexander Nevsky, Saint Matrona of Moscow, Sergei of Radonezh, Evangelists Luke, Mark and Matthew.
But this is far from full list: see full list You can visit the monastery website in the “Saints” section. It will also indicate where to find them. In the Church of the Sign there are several “single” arks, a small one (with the relics of 15 saints) and a large one (with the relics of 150 saints).
Holy spring
20 km from the desert, in the village of Talezh (Chekhov district, 16 km from Chekhov), there is the holy spring of St. David. In fact, several springs flow at this place, one of which is connected beautiful legend: supposedly one day Count Orlov offended a girl and, to make amends, gave her a diamond ring.
Not far from the city of Chekhov, eighty kilometers from Moscow, lies the Holy Ascension David's Hermitage. The monastery is located on the banks of the Lopasnya, which flows into the Oka, on a high and picturesque white-stone mountain. It was founded in May 1515 by the Monk David. Near the monastery (Talezh village) there is its courtyard.
A little history
According to historians, the Monk David belonged to the princely family of Vyazemsky. His real name is Daniel. At the age of twenty, he decided to go to where he lived for more than twenty years.
In 1515, David founded the monastery, now known as the Ascension David's Hermitage.
During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the construction of a large stone Church of the Ascension of the Lord began. But it was not destined to be completed. There are objective reasons for this. Initially, the monastery and its territory were attacked by Lithuanians and Circassians, who burned and destroyed many valuables, destroyed pre-existing buildings and plundered all supplies. By order of Patriarch Joachim, the temple was completely dismantled. Joachim ordered the construction of a new temple in its place. The stone church grew over David's tomb. Previously, there was a wooden chapel on this site. Its size was not too large.
At the very end of the 17th century, another chapel was built on the territory of the monastery, next to the Arbat Gate. It existed for a little over a century. Then, in its place, a monastery courtyard was built.
Until the middle of the 18th century, the Holy Ascension David's Hermitage belonged to different monasteries. The main reason for this situation is low incomes. Pustyn owned several poor estates that brought in very little money. There were not enough funds at all - even to maintain churches and monastic brethren. In 1765, a chapel located at the Moskvoretsky Gate was added to the desert. Previously, it belonged to the Morchugovskaya Hermitage, which ceased to exist. This chapel had
At the same time, the Davidova Hermitage received another chapel, which was located at the Kaluga outpost. At the end of the 18th century, housing was built in the monastery for the significantly increased brethren. By the beginning of the 20th century, about a hundred monks lived there. Among them was Alexy, who at one time predicted the end of the Sevastopol War.
David's Hermitage in the 19th century
The beginning of the 19th century was marked by a noticeable improvement in the condition of the monastery. The Church of St. Nicholas, in a terrible state, was completely dismantled and rebuilt. Many new small outbuildings have appeared.
The iconostasis in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord has been completely renewed. By the middle of the century, the Znamensky Church was rebuilt, and the old bell tower was restored. A bell was cast for her, the weight of which exceeded 205 pounds.
The end of the 19th century was marked by the opening of a men's parish school. The construction of the Cathedral of the All-Merciful Savior dates back to the beginning of 1900.
Like dozens of monasteries, the Ascension Monastery of David's Monastery was closed in 1929. An agricultural technical school functioned here, and dormitories for students were organized in the premises where monks had previously lived.
The new government turned ancient temples into garages and warehouses. St. Nicholas Church became a gathering place for atheistic societies. Anti-religious debates and discos began to be held here.
The Assumption Cathedral turned into a sports hall. A red banner was hoisted onto the bell tower. The holy graves were excavated and the tombstones were used as the foundation for a new dormitory. The monastery fence was completely destroyed, as were the domes on the temples.
Holy Ascension Monastery: recent history
David's desert was in complete desolation until 1992. At this time, they began to raise funds for the restoration of the holy place. The monastery got a rector in 1995. Hieromonk Herman took this place. Before that, he served as rector of the Intercession Church.
First of all, he began preparing the cathedrals for a full daily cycle of services, since in those days the liturgy was not celebrated. With two novices, the abbot began to prepare one temple.
In 1995, the first liturgy was held in the monastery. Soon a long-awaited event occurred - on June 1 of the same year, the decision of the Holy Synod was announced that monastic life would be resumed in the desert, and Herman received the rank of abbot, and he was given the abbot's staff.
In 1996, the Istomin couple donated a belfry of seven bells to the monastery. It was consecrated by Bishop Juvenal.
In the winter of 1997, restoration work began in the desert. In 1998, a bell that weighs a ton was donated to the monastery. It was installed on June 5th.
In 1999, the domes of cathedrals and churches were completely restored, and the Znamenskaya Church was consecrated. In 2003, the Ascension Cathedral was consecrated. The iconostasis has been completely restored.
The relics of St. David were transferred to the Znamensky Church, and then restoration work began.
At the same time, more than two hundred fragments of the relics of God's saints were collected in the monastery. Particles of the Robe of the Virgin Mary and a nail from Christ's crucifixion are kept in the desert. By the end of 1999, the interior decoration, cathedral domes, pond and fence of the monastery were restored.
Monastery today
When approaching the village of Novy Byt, around one of the turns, you will see great view. From this place, the Holy Ascension David's Hermitage is perfectly visible - the entire architectural ensemble and its residential buildings.
After 63 years of desolation, the monastery came to life. The Cathedral of the All-Merciful Savior was transferred to the Orthodox community organized in the village of Novy Byt.
The Monastery of David's Hermitage was not restored easily. I faced a lot of problems, but did not give up on my goal. In 1995 he was brutally murdered. According to the official version, the crime was committed for profit - the monastery safe was robbed.
The magnificent restoration of the monastery is overshadowed by various rumors that shroud the process. The clergy are accused of accepting large donations for the restoration of the monastery from people with dubious reputations. This is Gennady Nedoseka and today in the monastery cemetery you can see their graves, which differ from other burials in their luxury. Malevsky is the former Russian “aluminum king” and the leader of the Izmailovo criminal group, Nedoseka is an employee of the administration of the city of Chekhov, with a very dubious reputation. Despite everything, thanks to the help of these, not the most righteous, people, David’s deserts were restored.
Desert Tour
You can enter the monastery through the Holy Gate. The gate bell tower rises above the entrance. Its height is more than 70 m.
You will see an unusually well-groomed, clean area. There is also a small but very picturesque pond here. The sparkling church domes are reflected on its mirror surface. This place is very different from other monasteries. Look at the photo. The Voznesenskaya Davidova Hermitage is built up with buildings that are painted in warm, but at the same time rich colors (orange, yellow, pink).
Basic buildings of the desert:
- Assumption Gate Church.
- Znamenskaya Church.
- All Saints Refectory Church.
- Cathedral of the All-Merciful Savior.
- Znamenskaya Church.
- Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
- Ascension five-domed temple.
The walls of the Church of the Sign are painted orange, Nikolskaya - yellow. The Ascension Cathedral captivates with its whiteness, the Assumption Church attracts with its delicate pink-beige hue.
They are built in different times, but in a surprising way they are very harmoniously combined with each other. In addition, there is a monastery cemetery in the desert. Not only monks are buried here. For example, D. S. Dokhturov, a hero of the Russian-French war (1812), rests in the churchyard.
Today there are 12 inhabitants in the monastery. Its rector is Abbot Sergius (Kuksov). Every day a liturgy is held at the monastery.
Znamenskaya Church
Before the October Revolution, there was a coffin with the relics of Moses Ugrin in this temple. He was brought to the monastery by the Metropolitan of Moscow - Platon. Unfortunately, it has not survived to this day. The main attraction of the church is the ancient icon Holy Mother of God. The Monk David came with her to the desert, and here he found his rest.
Except miraculous icon Many shrines are kept here. To the left of the altar is a carved shrine containing the relics of David. According to the inhabitants of the desert, after the death of the monk, he began to come to people in dreams and heal them.
To the left of the entrance is kept the head of a baby from Bethlehem (one of the 14 thousand killed by the Decree of King Herod), particles of the relics of Sergius of Radonezh.
Cathedral of the Ascension (1682)
A two-pillar, five-domed brick temple with circumambular galleries. Built with the help of Patriarch Joachim. The basis for it was the unfinished cathedral of the late 16th century. In the southern gallery there is the Assumption Chapel. Restored at the end of the last century. Reconsecrated in 2003.
Holy Grove
The inhabitants of the Ascension Monastery of David's Hermitages are especially proud of the linden grove. The Monk David himself planted it. But this is not the only reason why it is dear to the Orthodox. As the legend goes, David planted all the trees with their roots upside down, and they all took root. So the Reverend sought to show everyone the power of God.
Holy spring
Not far from the holy monastery, in the small village of Talezh, there is his farmstead. This place was made famous by a unique source. David's Hermitage, according to believers, is a truly unique place. The mentioned spring was consecrated in the name of St. David. For hundreds of years, it quenched the thirst of pilgrims. Orthodox Christians came here from all corners of the Russian land to drink the life-giving moisture. It was consecrated by the prayers of David, who went to this source on foot from the desert. In the courtyard there is a temple of the monk, there are baths. Everyone who has visited this place leaves here peaceful, with a particle of God’s grace in their soul.
Healing properties of water
The source (David's Hermitage), according to the clergy, is famous for its numerous miraculous healings of seriously ill people. According to them, bathing in its waters can cure very terrible ailments.
Davidova Hermitage: how to get there
To visit this holy place, you can use a personal car or public transport. Many pilgrims dream of coming to these places and seeing with their own eyes what the David’s Hermitage (monastery) is like. We will tell you how to get here. To do this, you need to take the train coming from the Kursk station and drive to the Chekhov station. Then you need to take bus number 36 and get to the village of Novy Byt.
This path can also be covered by an intercity bus, which follows the route “Moscow-Nerastnoe”. In addition, the village can be reached from the Yuzhnaya metro station.
If you are planning to travel by car, then you will need to drive along the Simferopol highway, until it intersects with A-108, turn left (to Kashira), then follow the signs.
If you are planning to visit David's hermitage, then you need to know that you must be dressed appropriately: the woman's head must be covered with a scarf. Men in “beach look” will not be allowed into the monastery.
The Voznesenskaya Davidova Hermitage is located eighty-five kilometers from Moscow and twenty-four kilometers from Serpukhov, not far from the city of Chekhov. It is located in a beautiful area on the banks of the Lopasni River, which flows into the Oka, on a high semi-mountain replete with white stone.
The following entry was made about the founding of the desert in the monastery synodikum, written in 1602:
“...In the summer of 7023, under the rule of the kingdom of the Russian Sovereign, Grand Duke Vasily Ioannovich of Moscow and all Russia, under the holy Archbishop Joasaph, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus', the elder, our reverend father Abbot David, with two elders and two simple men, came to this desert on the 31st day . And Khatun was with all the volosts and districts behind Prince Vasily Semyonovich Starodubsky. And just like he came and moved into holy place behold, and erect a church in the name of the magnificent Ascension of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, in the limit erecting the church of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and the Ever-Virgin Mary of her honorable and glorious Dormition, and with the meal, erect a church in the name of those among the saints of our father St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and create a monastery and set up cells and called the brethren. And the monk David abbot reposed in the same year on the 1000th thirty-seventh of September on the 19th day in memory of the holy great martyr Eustathius and others like him...”
The Monk David, according to legend, came from the family of the princes of Vyazemsky and bore the name Daniel in the world. While still a young man, just over twenty years old, Daniel felt a calling to the ascetic life and came to the Paphnutian Borovsky Monastery. This monastery in the name of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was founded by the Monk Paphnutius of Borovsky in 1444. It was an abundant city of monasticism and Christian enlightenment; from it came many lamps of Russian monasticism. The Monk Paphnutius was tonsured and a disciple of the Monk Nikita, the third abbot of the Serpukhov Vysotsky Monastery. The Monk Nikita was a relative and student St. Sergius Radonezh, Abbot of the Russian Land. Thus, the Monk Paphnutius was the successor to the covenants of the Monk Sergius and an active representative of his monastic school.
Young Daniel entered the Borovsk monastery during the life of the Monk Paphnutius, who, like a great saint, then shone with the holiness of his life and spiritual gifts. The structure of the monastery was communal. The abbot set an example for the brethren. They saw “works and suffering. labors and fasts, and the thinness of the vestment, firm faith and love for God, and a hedgehog for the Most Pure Mother of God known hope, And always having hope in my mind in the mouth of my tongue I write. For this reason, for the grace of God, you have been honored, even though you want to be able to see through and tell the secret thoughts of your heart to your brethren, even though you can destroy illnesses, and God and the Most Pure Mother of God, you have received, and in truth, you are far from the people of the [then] century by all the customs. Byashe is generous and merciful when appropriate; “it is cruel and vain, when there is a need,” says the Monk Joseph, the future founder of the Joseph-Voloik monastery, who at the same time labored with the Monk David. David was guided by this example and godly advice in going through the life of a monk. Seeing the zeal and zeal of his novice, the Monk Paphnutius took monastic vows on him and named him David in honor of the Monk David of Thessalonica, a holy hermit who lived in the 6th century. After the repose of his teacher, the Venerable Paphnutius, the Venerable David found spiritual guidance and patronage in the person of the great luminary of Russian monasticism, the Venerable Joseph of Volotsk. The Monk Joseph, a twenty-year-old youth, came to Borovsk and on February 13, 1460, having received monastic tonsure at the hands of the Monk Paphnutius, he lived with him in the same cell for seventeen years. The blessed elder, foreseeing his imminent departure to the Lord, invited Joseph to be his successor in managing the monastery. The Monk Paphnutius reposed on May 1, 1477. After him, Joseph ruled the monastery from 1477 to 1479. He intended to introduce the strictest dormitory in the Borovsk monastery, but he met disagreement with this from the monks, except for seven, so he withdrew from the grumbling and left his monastery for a while to personally inspect the structure of other monasteries.
Upon returning from his journey, he decided to leave the Paphnutian monastery forever and found a monastery of his own accord, for which, with seven monks devoted to him, he retired to the familiar forests of Volokolamsk, where he founded his famous monastery, in which he died on September 9, 1515. The Monk David did not break his spiritual connection with this great and enlightened ascetic until his death. The monk labored for a long time in the Paphnutian monastery.
In 1515, the Monk David, who labored for more than forty years in the Borovsky monastery, left this holy monastery in order to found his monastery in a desert area that belonged to Prince Vasily Semenovich Starodubsky, on the banks of the Lopasnya River in the ancient Khutyn volost, where he came with the icon of the Sign of the Mother of God with two monks and two novices. Having settled here, he set up cells, erected the first wooden churches in honor of the magnificent Ascension of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ with a chapel in honor of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker with a meal. The monk planted a linden grove near his desert. On August 15, 1515, shortly before his death, the Monk Joseph visited this new monastery, dined with the Monk David and the brethren and instructed them in the Word of God. For more than half a century, the Monk David labored as a monk and was the breadwinner-father of the entire surrounding population.
On September 19, 1529, he gave up his righteous soul to God. His venerable body was buried in the desert he founded, in the Church of the Sign of the Mother of God, built in his memory, since the icon of the Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos was the cell prayer image of the monk.
The veneration of the Monk David began soon after his righteous death. In the synod of 1602 he is called a monk, and in documents of 1657, in addition, a miracle worker. There are no records of miraculous manifestations of God's mercy through the prayers of the monk. But the fact that these phenomena occurred is evidenced by the stories of residents of surrounding villages.
The Monk David appeared in a dream to the Serpukhov merchant Okorokova, who was suffering from a very difficult birth, and promised healing if she visited his monastery and served his funeral service for cancer. After the successful release of the burden, the grateful woman was in the desert and told those serving the requiem about the wondrous appearance of the monk to her.
In the 50s of the 19th century, when he was a candle-bearer in the David Hermitage, an old man of high spiritual life, Hierodeacon Benedict, a peasant from the Podolsk district came to the monastery and asked to serve a memorial service for the Monk David. The peasant who served the hieromonk told the following: “For about seven years I suffered from relaxation and without outside help I could neither move nor rise.
Almost in reality, the Monk David, a tall, gray-haired old man, in a monastic robe with a staff in his hands, appeared to me and ordered me to go to David’s Hermitage and serve a memorial service for him, promising to heal me from my illness. “Father,” I say, “I would gladly go, but not only can I walk, I can’t even get up, and I don’t even know where this desert is.”
The elder hit me on the legs with a staff, ordered me to go to Podolsk and became invisible. Here, to my great joy, I felt the opportunity to move my limbs, although I could not stand on my feet, and I decided to follow orders, which I announced to my family. Despite the entreaties of his son and other relatives to postpone this intention, he began to get ready to set off. They quickly fitted him with crutches, although he could not use them due to the inability to stand on his feet. My son accompanied me to the village outskirts, the entire distance to which I crawled with great difficulty.
Then something happened, as if I was shot all over, and I felt that my strength was growing stronger, I tried to get to my feet and - a miracle! - with the help of crutches he stood up and walked, although barely, on his feet. The further I walked, the more my strength became stronger. Near Podolsk, kind people told us how to find the way to the desert. And so, with God’s help, the prayers of the priest, the Monk David, I reached the desert, and no longer need crutches.”
The Monk David appeared to an elderly noblewoman from the Podolsk district and said: “Why won’t you come to me?” The one who appeared became invisible, and the girl wondered who it could be. Soon she had to be in Moscow and go to the Chapel of the Savior, which belongs to the David’s Hermitage. Having accidentally seen a printed image of the Monk David here, she recognized him as the one who had appeared and began to ask whose image this was? When she was told by the servants at the chapel that this was an image of the founder of the Davidic Desert, the Monk David, she told her about the appearance, learned about the road to the desert and, indeed, soon arrived at the monastery and, having served a memorial service, told everyone about the appearance that had happened to her. The Monk David, laying the foundation of the monastery, created a temple in honor of the Ascension of the Lord, the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos and St. Nicholas with a meal.
In 1600, Abbot Leonid, using his cell money, built a wooden Church of the Ascension of the Lord, which was later moved to the village of Degchishevo. Even under Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible, construction began on a stone church in honor of the Ascension of the Lord and the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but he for a long time remained unfinished. Patriarch Joachim ordered to dismantle this building and in the same place to build a new stone Church of the Ascension of the Lord with the chapels of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker with a warm meal. In 1682, an antimension was issued for the consecration of the newly built church.
By 1732, the Church of the Assumption was already very dilapidated. At the request of Abbot Jacob, it was dismantled and rebuilt above the holy gates in 1740. In the 30s and 40s of the 18th century, a stone bell tower was erected over the tomb of St. David instead of the previously existing wooden chapel. In 1740, during the reign of Abbot Joseph, through the diligence of the wife of State Councilor Mikhail Bobrishchev-Pushkin, Anastasia Vasilievna, a church was built under the bell tower in honor of the Icon of the Sign of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The monastery was known to both Russian tsars and members of their families, who did not leave it with their favors. Special attention Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible provided her with assistance. With his funds, the construction of a stone temple began in the monastery. In 1619, the monastery was invaded by Lithuanians and Circassians, who stood in the monastery and left it to fire and destruction. At this time, the said charter was lost, but was restored on April 1, 1625 by Tsar Mikhail Feolorovich. In 1626, by the personal order of the great elder Martha Ioannovna, chasubles of white taffeta, calico vestments, loose velvet stole and the same braces, a silk belt, stole and velvet bracelets, two calico surplices and a thread belt were given to the hermitage. Under Abbot Savvatiya (1653 - 1657), a decree was issued on the preservation of the linden grove planted by the Monk David himself. According to legend, the Monk David dug up linden trees in the forest and, bringing them to the monastery, planted them upside down in order to show the dark local population the power of prayers to God and His Most Pure Mother. And through the prayers of the Monk David, the trees grew. The monks of the monastery, when making new plantings, maintained this tradition until the closure of the monastery in the 30s of our century. In 1657, the monastery was surrounded by a fence, a linden grove grew near the monastery, and between the grove and the vegetable garden there was a garden with apple trees.
On the territory of the monastery there were: a wooden Church of the Ascension with two altars in the aisles of the Assumption of the Mother of God and St. Nicholas; a stone unfinished church in honor of the Ascension of the Lord and the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a wooden chapel in which the relics of St. David rested hidden; a bell tower, cut into timber, topped with a tent, and in it there are five bells; cellar and kitchen with copper, iron, and wooden utensils; a stable with a drying shed, five granaries, and a cattle yard behind the monastery.
“Our Church must be sanctified in us, and not in our words.”
N.V.Gogol
...The David Hermitage left a huge impression. This is a very ambiguous place in terms of history (modern), but definitely good.
...Yes, indeed, at present, the Ascension David’s Hermitage is one of the most beautifully restored and perfectly restored monasteries. Yes, indeed, on its territory there is a necropolis where our contemporaries found rest. And, indeed, they have luxurious monuments. And perhaps them professional activity far from ideal.
...Anton Malevsky was called the aluminum king of Russia and was considered the leader of the Izmailovo criminal group. Gennady Nedoseka is a former head of the Chekhov district administration with an “ambiguous” reputation. And what is the conclusion from this? Is there really only one?
This monastery is located in the village New Life- and this is the name you need to look for on the map.
David's desert left a huge impression.
This is a very ambiguous place in terms of history (modern), but definitely good.
Why do I write so strangely? Because in my mind I actively disagree with a lot of the responses: “there is no smell of religion and faith”, “not the place where you want to open your soul”, “the tomb of the brothers.”
Entrance 
Yes, indeed, currently - Ascension David's Hermitage- one of the most beautifully restored and perfectly restored monasteries.
Yes, indeed, on its territory there is a necropolis where our contemporaries found rest.
And, indeed, they have luxurious monuments. And perhaps their professional activities are far from ideal.
Anton Malevsky was called the aluminum king of Russia and was considered the leader of the Izmailovo criminal group. Gennady Nedoseka is a former head of the Chekhov district administration with an “ambiguous” reputation.
And what is the conclusion from this? Is there really only one?
Let's think about it. Maybe these people had nowhere to spend their “capital of unknown origin”? They could easily invest them in a network of casinos, islands, yachts, supercars, precious stones and precious metals, dachas and apartments. But for some reason they invested them in a completely collapsed monastery. More precisely, into the ruins and headless remains of churches. So, something was driving them? Was there something in your soul to take exactly this step and in this direction, and not in the opposite direction? This means that people were trying to do something not just good, but very good and bright. And they did. And what did they get out of it? By the way, in the prime of life - one died with a parachute, the other in a car accident - and are now here, in the monastery they restored, only deep.
And people passing by turn away, squint and spit - fi, this is dirty money, fi, we know, we know what they were doing there, fi, this is unworthy even of our simple thanks.
Why fuss so hard? These people have already answered before God, both for everything bad and for everything good. God alone can judge us. And only God knows what kind of situation you may find yourself in and what you will be capable of in it.
And why does the fuss of these people end right behind this monastery fence? Let us note that the masses, the masses of Russian oligarchs and businessmen, politicians and officials have invested, are investing and will continue to invest their “honestly earned” money in casino networks, islands and yachts…. And they are not at all worried or disturbed by any crumbling monasteries, of which there are countless numbers throughout Russia. Let the monastic problems burn with fire, when a new Bugatti model was thrown onto the car market and the queue for the ordered fashionable crocodile handbag is approaching.
People now are somehow straight-up processed. It seems that its own head is capable of producing only templates inserted from outside by the media. Everyone considers severe censure to be a civic duty. Forgiveness, understanding, sympathy - this does not apply to “this”, of course. A very convenient position, by the way. Against the background of the “bad” ones, you will once again stand out with your honesty, decency and non-involvement. We are above all this dirt, yes! And honestly, it’s much more convenient here - just twice. You can, of course, notice a lot of injustice throughout Russia, but there you can fic for years from morning to evening, and even get the answer, no, this is inconvenient.
It seems to me that this particular monastery - the Ascension David's Hermitage - is a litmus test for our souls. This is what is hidden inside us, which actively manifests itself here.
When we entered through the gate in the high Bell Tower, we gasped. The David Desert has an unusually beautiful territory. All churches and buildings are in perfect condition. There is a round pond. And from the entrance to the central constellation of churches there is a long path with neatly planted rows of golden sunflowers. So nice! There are few people, unlike Talezh. We saw a television group. 
But first things first.
All the churches and buildings here are colorful.
Bell tower with belfry(mid-19th century) - entrance. There is a striking clock installed on it, every hour reproducing the melody of one of the church hymns. There are 7 bells on the Belfry (donated by parishioners in 1996). 
Ahead, in the center there are 3 churches. They are attached to each other.
Orange - Znamenskaya Church- the road leads straight to it - classic (late 19th century), it has one small dark crown.
Yellow - St. Nicholas Church- on the left is Empire style (early 19th century), it has a large dark semicircular dome.
White -Ascension Cathedral- on the right - ancient Russian (16-17th centuries), five dark domes, one with stars.
Orange Central - Znamenskaya Church
We got into it, here are the relics of St. David
St. Nicholas Cathedral (yellow)
Ascension Cathedral (white) and the most ancient temple monastery Here is the wonderful icon of the Mother of God “The Sign”
Behind these churches is the Necropolis.
There is a monument-bust to the hero of the Patriotic War of 1812. General Dmitry Sergeevich Dokhturov 
Left from the Bell Tower:
Bright yellow long 2-storey building with beautiful white stucco - Igumensky building.
Pink - Assumption Church- classic (mid-18th century), one large dark onion head and four very small onions.
Bright yellow - temple in the name of all saints- classic (early 20th century), one dark miniature dome with a gold pattern. Here - Refectory.
Igumensky building
Assumption Church
Church of All Saints and Refectory
Right from the Bell Tower:
Round Pond- with benches, there are stages, very quiet place, the backs of the fish are visible. This is the place from where everyone takes panoramic photographs of the monastery ensemble, and everyone else takes pictures! - reflection of churches or the Bell Tower in the mirror of the pond. 
To the right along the wall from the Bell Tower - red-orange Chapel over the spring.
To the right and behind the central churches - white Fraternal Corps.
Chapel over the spring
The monastery was founded in 1515
year by the Venerable David of Serpukhov.
It is interesting that in the local dialect and in ancient chronicles the name of the monastery sounded like Dove Y Dova Pustyn, with a hard Russian “y”.
Davyd or David (in the world Daniel from the princely family of Vyazemsky) is a student of Paphnutius Borovsky. He will stay in the Borovsky Monastery for 40 years. There he will meet his spiritual friend Joseph Volotsky. And David will be one of the 7 monks who will support Joseph in the flared-up conflict over the “strictness of monastic community.” It is from here that the two aspirations of Russian monasticism will emerge from Borovsk: to be physically poor, but spiritually rich (non-acquisitive) and to be rich in both cases (Josephites).
It is very important to understand that “Josephiteism” is not “the corruption of monasticism,” but a firm desire to see monasteries prosperous or “the support of the king, and at the same time distinguished by strict rules and widespread charity.” I really remember one phrase that I heard somewhere: “thanks to the Josephites, our Russian monasteries are so solemn and beautiful.” Just don’t immediately think that Joseph Volotsky, the author of the idea “about the right of the church to own real estate,” ate caviar with spoons and wore a sable fur coat. This is primitive, straightforward thinking. The strength of a true Russian monk is in the spirit. Joseph himself walked with an unpainted wooden staff, in schematic dark clothing and a thread robe, and ate very little. But his monastery was a sight for sore eyes.
Monk Davyd from Borovsk came here to this land with the same ideas.
He chose a wonderful, strong place - the high bank of the Lopasny River.
Together with four monk assistants, he built two wooden churches, cells, and a refectory.
The oldest and, accordingly, the very first stone church in the monastery is white Ascension Cathedral (Ascension of Christ). It is dated to the beginning of the 16th century. It was rebuilt later, but fragments of the ancient masonry still remain. A very beautiful temple, but we didn’t get inside - it was closed (churches here open only during morning and evening services). But from a random conversation between TV crews running around with equipment, we realized that they were going to open this church for them to see miraculous icon of the Mother of God “The Sign”.
The monastery was built slowly, even very slowly. IN Time of Troubles was completely destroyed by the Lithuanians. We consider the monastery “Josephite”, and therefore “rich”, but in the late 18th century. under Catherine II he was recognized as second-rate or supernumerary, and in the late 19th century. “It fell into such disrepair that it was not only impossible to pray in the churches, but it was also dangerous to go inside: the masonry was loose, ancient frescoes and plaster were flying around, the roof was rotten.”
In David's Desert there is Valentinov spring(in honor of Archimandrite Valentin), which is located “under the monastery, near the bridge over the river.”
Preserved here linden Holy Grove, planted by St. David. According to legend, he planted trees in a miraculous way - with their roots up to show the power of God - and they were all accepted
