Korennaya Pustyn Monastery

The Korennaya Pustyn Dormition monastery stands 30 km from Kursk on the right bank of the Tuskar in Svobodsky District. Monastery tradition holds that the wonder-working “Sign” icon was found here in the 13th century, split in two; a church of SS Joachim and Anna was later built at the site. The stone Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God was founded on 1 June 1852 by order of Count Kleinmichel. Its iconostasis is a major work of the Holy Trinity brotherhood from Shchigry. The exterior deliberately echoed St Petersburg's Annunciation church of the period. The monastery survived Soviet closure, damage and revival: active again since 1990. Restoration continues and services are held; the wonder-working icon is brought for veneration periodically while a copy remains on site. Korennaya Pustyn is an architectural route as well as a religious one: limestone buildings, almshouse, park alleys by the river. Respect dress code and silence in a working monastery. Korennaya Pustyn is not a quick photo stop: major pilgrimage days fill parking and queues to the icon move slowly. Allow time for Joachim and Anna church at the finding site and quiet alleys by the Tuskar.