Sergiev Posad (Former Zagorsk)

The town of Sergiev Posad got its name from Saint Sergius who was born in the neighbouring town of Radonezh and in the middle of the 14th century founded the largest and the most famous Russian monastery. That monastery known as the Holy Trinity-St.Sergius Lavra (’lavra’ in Greek means the most significant monastery) is now something like a Russian Vatican. The place holds the Theological Seminary, the largest library of religious literature, the famous icons, historical and artistic treasures. The architectural complex of Trinity-St.Sergius Lavra was developed in the course of several centuries. The oldest church on its territory is the Holy Trinity Cathedral (1422-1423) famous for its icons painted by the renowned icon painter Andrei Rublev and the 17th century frescoes. Still the main essence of Sergiev Posad is the center of Russian Orthodox Church, the spiritual center of Russia.