Alexander Nevsky Lavra

Saint Alexander Nevsky Lavra or Saint Alexander Nevsky Monastery was founded by Peter I of Russia in 1710 at the eastern end of the Nevsky Prospekt in Saint Petersburg, in the belief that this was the site of the Neva Battle in 1240 when Alexander Nevsky, a prince, defeated the Swedes. In actuality, the battle took place about 19 kilometres (12 mi) away from that site. "On April 5, 1713, in St. Petersburg, in the presence of Peter I, the wooden Church of the Annunciation was consecrated. This day is considered the official founding date of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra." (April 5, 1713 Gregorian was March 25 Julian, feast of the Annunciation) "The relics of St. Alexander Nevsky were solemnly transferred from Vladimir to the new capital of Russia September 12, 1724, by decree of Peter the Great." (It was August 30 Julian, or September 10 Gregorian, however, since the Russian Orthodox Church still follows the Julian calendar, the transfer of the relics is celebrated on August 30 Julian, which corresponds to September 12 Gregorian in the 20th–21st centuries) Nevsky became patron of the newly founded Russian capital. During Soviet times in the 20th century, the massive silver sarcophagus of St. Alexander Nevsky was relocated to the State Hermitage Museum. It is still held there (without the relics). In 1797, the monastery was raised to the rank of lavra, making it only the third la

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