Smolenskaya Church

A small church in honor of the Smolensk icon of the Mother of God was erected on the site of the former kitchen by order of Empress Elizabeth (daughter of Peter the Great). Outside the kitchen building, there was a wonderworking Smolensk icon of the Mother of God of the 15th century. In 1730, this icon appeared in a dream to the monastery reader, who had withered hands bent toward his back. After this vision, the reader was completely healed. This miracle was reported to Empress Anna Ioannovna. To glorify the icon, she ordered the former kitchen to be converted into a church. Built from the materials of the former kitchen, the church quickly grew old and started falling apart. The one we see today was built on funds donated by count A.G. Razumovsky in 1746-1748. In present time, it is attended by father superior of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra.