Nikolo-Korelsky Monastery

The Nikolo-Korelsky Monastery is a historical Russian Orthodox monastery located in Severodvinsk, Russia. It is believed to have been founded by St. Euphemius, an Orthodox missionary active in the Karelian lands.

History and Significance

The monastery's early history was marked by destruction; it was burnt down by Swedes in 1419 and lay in ruins until 1471. Its revival was spurred by Marfa Boretskaya, who had her sons' bodies recovered on the nearby beach after a severe storm and buried at the site, leading to the monastery's restoration. In 1553, English sailors, including Richard Chancellor, visited the monastery and were impressed by its community of 'sailors in soutanes' and its substantial pier.

The monastery's strategic location on the White Sea contributed to its prosperity, particularly after the establishment of the Muscovy Company, as much of their trade passed through the local harbor. This led to the White Sea being referred to as 'St. Nicholas Bay' on 16th-century English maps, a testament to the monastery's dedication to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors.

Despite periods of prosperity, the monastery also faced adversity. In late 1613, it was captured and looted by Polish-Lithuanian forces known as the Lisowczycy. The extant buildings of the monastery, including the five-domed cathedral of St. Nicholas (built 1670–74) and the preceding Assumption church (1664–67), were constructed towards the end of the Muscovite period. Timber walls and towers were also added several decades later, with one well-preserved tower later moved to Kolomenskoe, Moscow.

Post-Revolution Era

Following the Russian Revolution, the Nikolo-Korelsky Monastery was abolished. Its 17th-century structures have since been adapted and continue to be utilized for shipbuilding purposes.