The Trinity-Sergius Lavra in the Twentieth Century: The Historical Path from the Museum to the Monastery

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to analyze the historical circumstances due to which the national shrine of Russia, the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, was preserved from desecration and plunder by the anti–church authorities in the twentieth century. The establishment of a mu­seum-reserve on the territory of the monastery, as well as the activities of the Commission for the Protection of Antiquities and Art of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, were positive. The unprece­dented preservation of the relics of the founder of the Lavra and the Abbot of the Russian Land became possible thanks to the courageous act of the members of the above-mentioned com­mission. The museum, created on the territory of the monastery, had a beneficial effect not only on protecting its shrines from destruction, but also preserved them for future generations.