Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God, Moscow

The St. Alexis Convent of the Conception of St. Anna was founded in 1360 by the Metropolitan of Moscow. In 1547 the convent burnt down in the great fire of Moscow. It was rebuilt but laid to waste during the French invasion of 1812.  With the support of the state it was fully restored.  The miraculous icon of the Mother of God called the “Merciful’ was located in the cathedral.  1917 the Bolsheviks gained power and the convent and cathedral was closed.   The Cathedral and bell tower were blown up in 1934 and a  standard 4 story school built on the site.  The miraculous icon of the Mother of God called the “Merciful” survived by being transferred to another church. In 1991 the Sisterhood of the Icon of the Mother of God called the “Merciful” began work on revival of the convent.  With the blessing of his Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia and by decision of the Holy Synod of 1995, the ancient convent was revived.  1999 the miraculous icon of the Mother of God called “the Merciful” was carried in triumphant process back to the Convent of the Conception.  On Nov. 25, 2005, the feast day of the icon of the Mother of God called “The Merciful”, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II laid the foundation stone of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God .  On Nov 25, 2010, the 650th anniversary of the Convent of the Conception - the great consecration of the convent and the first Divine Liturgy was headed by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
I came across this cathedral on two separate days. Each time I was looking for something else but the second time figured I’d best go in, accepting my lostness as more than geographical.  Nuns were there along with other devout worshippers. I felt guilty taking pictures but no one seemed to notice.  I bought a candle and lit it.  I prayed. It was a good place to pray. I bought an icon for a friend. I'd thought of him in the night.