The Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery is located on the northern outskirts of Vologda. It is one of the largest monasteries in Russia. Powerful walls and towers make it look like a fortress. If you come to Vologda, then it is necessary to visit the Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery.
The Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery was founded by the Monk Dmitry Prilutsky, who was born into the family of a rich merchant in Pereslavl-Zalessky. In 1348, Abbot Dmitry founded the St. Nicholas Monastery in his hometown. He was a well-known preacher in Russia and even became the godfather of Prince Dmitry Donskoy`s children.
In 1354, Abbot Dmitry met for the first time with St. Sergius of Radonezh, who came to Pereslavl to Bishop Athanasius. Subsequently, Sergius and Dmitry communicated a lot, until Dmitry decided to go north to found a new monastery.
In 1371, with his disciple Pakhomiy, he came to the bend of the Vologda River and founded the oldest monastery in the Russian north. Other famous monasteries of the Russian north were founded several decades later. In 1397, the Monk Kirill founded the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, in 1407 the Valaam Monastery was founded on Lake Ladoga, and in 1430 the Solovetsky Monastery was founded on the Solovetsky Islands.
For 200 years, the churches in the monastery were wooden. The stone Spassky Cathedral of the Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery was built in 1537-1542. The stone St. Sophia Cathedral in Vologda was built 30 years later, when Ivan the Terrible proclaimed Vologda the capital of his Oprichnina state.
The relics of St. Dmitry Prilutsky are kept in the Spassky Cathedral. In the 17th century, the Vvedenskaya Church and refectory were built in the Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery. They are built in the style of an old Russian terem. Later, 3 more churches were built in the monastery.
In 1528, Tsar Vasily III and his wife Maria Glinskaya prayed in the Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery for the gift of an heir. After that, their son Ivan was born, who became Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible.
