New Jerusalem Monastery Royalty-Free Stock Photography

New Jerusalem Monastery is located on the river Istra not far from Moscow. It was founded in 1656 by Patriarch Nikon of Moscow, who patterned the monastery after Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Tsar Alexis dubbed the monastery New Jerusalem after visiting the site and seeing the resemblance. The monastery was destroyed by the Germans as they retreated from Moscow during World War II. Much of the compound has been restored, although the work is still in progress. Today, New Jerusalem is a functioning monastery and a monument of a great architectural and cultural value. Orthodox worshippers come to pay their respects as well as drink from the nearby spring that is said to be holy.