The lithograph depicts the architectural complex of the Monastery of Saint John. In the 19th century it included the Cathedral of John the Forerunner, a bell tower and brethren’s building. All buildings were within a stone wall with a gate.
Lithographic picture Monastery of St. John
Creation period
1839
Dimensions
37x44 cm
Technique
Tone lithography
Exhibition
1
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Edward Turnerelli
Lithographic picture Monastery of St. John
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St. John Monastery was established by Saint Herman, Archbishop of Kazan, in the 16th century. Initially it was built as a metochion for another monastery, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sviyazhsk, but by 1595 it became independent.
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St. Herman was the abbot of the Sviyazhsk Assumption Monastery and later was elected the Archibishop of Kazan and Sviyazhsk. In the Kazan krai he conducted educational activities, helped replenish monastery libraries and promoted the construction of new churches.
In 1566, at the request of Ivan the Terrible he was appointed the Metropolitan of Moscow. However, even before he was elevated to the rank, he began to urge the Tsar to repent his sins and abolish the Oprichnina, which drove the Tsar mad. He ordered to place Herman under surveillance in Moscow but kept his rank intact, according to historians.
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Historians are not unanimous in their opinion about the cause of his death. Some claim that he died of pestilence, other think that he was suffocated, poisoned or decapitated under the order of Ivan the Terrible.
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At present the tomb with some of the relics of St. Herman of Kazan, together with the Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God and the Inexhaustible Chalice, and also the icon of John the Forerunner are the principal shrines of the Monastery of St. John the Forerunner.
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The architectural complex of the monastery was twice under fire − in 1649 and 1815. First, it was restored from the donation made by one of the richest merchants of that time, Gavriil Antipin. And then − from donations of Emperor Alexander I and Kazan citizens.
The structure of the Cathedral of St. John the Forerunner was badly weakened by fire accidents. By later 19th century, despite the scientifically recognised architectural and artistic value of the cathedral, the authorities moved to destroy and build it anew. The author of the design was Heinrich Rush – an artist, the city architect of Kazan and an expert in construction materials.
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The new cathedral replicated the old one, but was much larger in size. It was consecrated in 1899 but about 30 years later it was closed down together with the entire monastery. The territory was taken up by dwellings, a workshop and the committee on the protection of monuments. Only in 1992 was the Monastery returned to the Kazan diocese.
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Of all the ancient structures of the monastery, only the Church of the Presentation of Virgin Mary and the bell tower have survived to this day. The monastery’s historical image was captured in the 19th century by Edward Turnerelli, who then was teaching English in Kazan University. He made a whole series of sketches there and later published it as an album in London. It also included the lithograph displayed in the exhibition.
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Lithographic picture Monastery of St. John
Creation period
1839
Dimensions
37x44 cm
Technique
Tone lithography
Exhibition
1
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