Artistic projects workshop

Architectural workshop

The workshop was created for developing plans for architectural detail-work and objects of the interior. As the construction expanded, the need arose for working out not only plans for workshop projects but for the entire construction. Today the activity of the workshop is developing in the following directions: architecture, interior, objects of the interior, landscaping and maintenance. For every type of activity, general plans and working blueprints are executed. Furthermore, the workshop explores new technologies which provides for growth and development. The workshop allows the monastery, in all its diversity of activity, to maintain an integrated artistic image.

You may see the life of the studio along with icons in the section Picture Album

Items may be purchased in the section Shop

Furniture workshop

The workshop was created for the exterior needs of the monastery. It has already provided beautiful and practical furniture to the monastery workshops and other buildings. Now it is ready to serve you and your needs. The workshop prepares furniture for a church shop, refectory, offices etc. The design of items can be developed in accordance with your wishes.

You may see the life of the studio along with icons in the section Picture Album

Items may be purchased in the section Shop

Sculpture workshop

The workshop was organized due to the need to prepare sculptural forms as elements of the interior. Ornamental relief tiles were created for the monastery hall, consoles for the refectory vault, decorative capitals for church portals, choir barrier made from figured fire-bricks, decorative profiles for the church perimeter. Plaster columns, rosettes and other ornamental works are used to decorate the altar. Plaster and fire clay are used. Masters use technologies which allow them to make many copies of an item. A new activity for the workshop is being considered – stone sculpting.

You may see the life of the studio along with icons in the section Picture Album

Items may be purchased in the section Shop

Blacksmith

The exterior image of St. Elizabeth convent was developed on the basis of architectural works of the 16th century, which was rich in decorative elements. Therefore, the need arose for blacksmith shop for forging both interior and exterior objects. The workshop can make chandeliers, candle stands, staircase barriers, gates, fencing, decorative overlays, screens, lock rails and other items. Blacksmiths try to maintain traditions of the ancient art of manual forging.

You may see the life of the studio along with icons in the section Picture Album

Items may be purchased in the section Shop

Metal embossing workshop

Since ancient times, icons, divine service books, altar vessels and icon lamps have been decorated with relief images engraved on non-ferrous metal. As models for their work, engravers use ancient items made by Old Russian, Byzantine and Georgian masters and preserved until the present day. The workshop makes icon settings and overlays for the Gospel and other divine service books, overlays for icons, decorative overlays for church furniture, boards for the iconostasis, engraved details for lanterns, altar vessels and other items used in the church. At present the workshop of non-ferrous metals is working on engraving the iconostasis of the monastery’s parish church in dedication to the icon of the Mother of God “Derzhavnaya” (“Reigning”). Any work can be executed for you according to the specifications of your order. Restoration work may be done on an old item.

You may see the life of the studio along with icons in the section Picture Album

Items may be purchased in the section Shop

Workshop of non-ferrous metals

The interior of a church is not complete without a seven-branched candelabra, a chandelier and other lamps made from non-ferrous metals. The non-ferrous metals workshop creates these and other items for the decoration of your church: grills (lattice) for radiators, decorative overlays, cast handles for church doors and others. Complex modular items from cast and stamping as well as turned and milled details are made in the workshop. Use of etching and engraving allows for marking any image or even an icon on metal.

You may see the life of the studio along with icons in the section Picture Album

Items may be purchased in the section Shop

Wood carving workshop

Wood carving has been executed since ancient times. People used wood-carved items to decorate their dwellings, household objects and, of course, temples. Using many techniques, carvers create items by hand in various styles and from different types of wood. Carved items may be gold plated (gilt). You may order carved details for iconostases, icon cases, lecterns, crosses, crucifixes, reliquaries, carved icons, folding i You may see the works of the studio in the section “Picture Album”.

You may see the life of the studio along with icons in the section Picture Album

Items may be purchased in the section Shop

Joiner’s workshop

Altar tables, tables of oblation, furniture for the altar (sexton and sacristan cases, seats for priests, bishop’s armchair), iconastases, icon cases, benches, tables, chairs, windows and doors – all are made in the joiner’s workshop. Frames and icon cases may be created for the iconostasis in your home. Items are distinguished by high quality of painting. The wood-carving shop works in close collaboration with the joiner’s workshop.

You may see the life of the studio along with icons in the section Picture Album

Items may be purchased in the section Shop

Gilding workshop

Gold-plating has been known since antiquity. The spiritual meaning of gold in Christian art has been well explained by S.S. Averintsev in his work “Gold in the System of Early Byzantine Culture”. His basis conclusions are as follows: first, gold symbolizes the non-created divine light. Secondly, gold, tested in the hearth, is compared in Scripture to martyrs who have suffered for Christ. In this way, gold symbolizes the transfiguration of the human soul in the fire of trials. Thirdly, in the image of the Virgin Mary, gold symbolizes the chastity of virginity as well as royalty.

Mosaic gold are the thinnest leaves of precious metal, thinner than a human hair. Times change, but the methods and instruments used in gilding do not change. This craft demands cleanliness, precision and patience. Mastery comes with experience. It is not enough to possess theoretical knowledge; it is necessary to live it, for it to enter into the heart. Any omission is reflected in the final result. Gilding is preserved for many years. There are several methods of gilding – on polyment and on mordant. Gilding on polyment is executed on items to be used indoors: items made of wood such as icons, icon cases, iconostases. Exterior crosses and church domes are guilt on mordant because this type of gilding endures harsh northern conditions. It is also used for interior works requiring special artistic detail. Our workshop executes both types of gilding.

You may see the life of the studio along with icons in the section Picture Album

Items may be purchased in the section Shop

Binding workshop

The binding workshop was organized recently in our monastery. Active in the workshop are both professional restorers as well as people who cannot perform heavy physical work. First, old church books are restored. Second, new ways of decorating altar Gospels and other service books are developed using leather, paper, cloth and metal. Church books of any format may be restored in the workshop and a strong binding created using various materials: leather, velvet and stamping. The brothers of the workshop will always prayerfully remember all who share their advice for assembling metal icon settings, as well as other useful information. Contact us with your orders, advice and proposals by email with the subject line “Binding Workshop”.

You may see the life of the studio along with icons in the section Picture Album

Items may be purchased in the section Shop

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