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The '''Novo-Tikhvin Monastery''' is a community of female [[monasticism|monastics]] located in Ekaterinburg, Russia. The [[monastery]] was founded late in the eighteenth century, growing out of an alms-house at the cemetery [[church]] in Ekaterinburg. It is the home of the [[icon]] of the [[Theotokos of Tikhvin|Tikhvin Mother of God]]. Closed in 1920 after the takeover of the government of Russia by the Bolsheviks, monastic life at the monastery was restored in 1994.

Novo-Tikhvin Monastery was founded, at the end of the eighteenth century under the [[abbess]], Mother Taisia, at the end of the eighteenth century as . The initial structure was an outgrowth of the alms-house almshouse located at the Ekaterinburg cemetery church that was dedicated to the [[Dormition ]] of the Most Holy [[Theotokos]]. The small community of monastic women was transformed into a coenobitic woman’s cenobitic women's monastery by an imperial order in 1809. Through the zealous work of the nuns, coupled with the aid of the people of Ekaterinburg, the monastery was built and grew to be the largest monastery in the Urals, drawing to itself hundreds of pilgrims. On [[feast day]]s , hundreds of pilgrims [[pilgrim]]s came to venerate the main [[relics|relic]] of the monastery, the icon of the Tikhvin Theotokos.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the monastery was populated by about one thousand sisters. The monastery had grown significantly, containing within its grounds six churches, residences for the sisters, and workshops. By 1917, eighteen 18 workshops were used actively by the sisters , who worked at gold - and silk-embroidery, spinning and sewing, and [[iconography ]] and [[photography, ]]. The monastery also supported a hospital, orphanage, diocesan school with a library, and a bakery.

Through the nineteenth century, the monastery was visited by members of the Russian Royal Familyroyal family, including Emperor Alexander I in 1824 and, as heir to the throne, the future Alexander II in 1837. Additionally, St. [[John of Kronstadt]] served a divine Divine [[liturgyLiturgy]] at the monastery. The [[patron saint|patronal ]] [[feast day]] of [[June 15]] was famous for the Tikhvin fairs. But, but, following the Bolshevik revolution in November 1917, life at the monastery was devastatingly changed, and, by 1920, the monastery was closed.

Under the spiritual guidance of the [[abbot]] Abraham, the restored monastery is the home of about 120 sisters, including eleven 11 nuns. , forty two coenobites, and the remainder novices. The traditions of yesteryear are being revived and physical facilities are being restored.

The monastery grew to consist of six churches, numerous cells, a hospital, and an alms-housealmshouse. The dominant building on the monastery grounds is the [[Cathedralcathedral]] dedicated to the Grand Prince, St. [[Alexander Nevsky]]. The original building is can be traced back to 1814. Construction lasted until 1836. The design was altered under the architect, M. P. Malakhov, during the period of 1836 to 1854. The cathedral was built in the classic style. It contains three [[altar]]s and can hold six thousands thousand people. After the monastery was closed, the cathedral continued to function until 1930 , when it also was closed. With the reopening of the monastery in 1994, the cathedral once again functioned as part of the monastery. The cathedral was severely damaged during the Soviet years , with major repairs still to be done.

*[http://www.sestry.ru/eng Novo-Tikhvin Monastery]

[[Category: Monasteries]][[Category: Russian Monasteries]]