Sergiev Posad

Drive out of Moscow along the Yaroslavsky highway and find a small town Sergiev Posad some 70 km (about 50 miles) from the capital. The town emerged long time ago, round the St.Trinity Sergius Lavra, (the greek word "lavra" means "monastery"), established here by one of the most honoured Russian saints, reverent Sergius of Radonezh in 1340, whose name was given to the town.

Father Superior of the monastery, played a major role in consolidating the lands of Rus under the leadership of Moscow Prince Dmitry Donskoy who won a significant victory over Khan Mamay at Kulikovo Field in 1380. For centuries the monastery has been the biggest religious and cultural center of the Russian state. Icon painters Andrey Rublev and Daniel Chorny worked there, they decorated with frescoes the main church of the monastery — the Trinity Cathedral.

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the monastery and its founder for the history of Russia. It is the basis that supports Russian spirituality, statehood, and national character.