If you drive four kilometers East of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, on the outskirts of Sergiev Posad You will find the Saviour Bethany convent. It was organized by the Archbishop and Abbot of the Trinity monastery Plato in 1783. Initially, like Laura, desert here was for monks wishing to retire and deceased Lavra monks. The name of this monastery was named in honor of the city of Bethany, where once Jesus Christ revived Lazarus, to give people the belief that he is the son of God who came to earth.

For four years, construction is rectangular in plan of the monastery, stretching from East to West. Avenue, connecting the Holy gate in the East with shopping on the West leads to the main Shrine of the monastery is the Transfiguration Cathedral with two fraternal buildings on the sides. Two more such housing is located near the front gate. Plato chose for his chambers South side of the monastery and placed it near the house Church, and the Northern part was given to the cells for guests. Residential buildings are designed with a stone lower floor and wooden top. Fraternal cemetery occupied the entire Eastern half of the monastery, and it housed stables. The fence that restricted the territory of the Spaso-Bethany convent, was low with an equally low turrets in the corners. This project oversaw all the time himself Archbishop Platon. He tried to delve into the complexities that arise when building. The architect was selected In.. Yakovlev together with the N.M. Daizepam Lavra and the wizard. Boldyrev. In the year of completion of construction (1787) Archimandrite Platon became Metropolitan.

Oval Transfiguration Cathedral had bunk altar, made in the form of mount Tabor. At the foot of her in the cave of the table of oblation of the lower Church, and on the top of the throne of the upper Church. Gospel mountain as if covered with moss and decorated with figures of animals and flowers. The Cathedral since 1786 was the guardian of the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The coffin with the relics was placed in the lower Church.

Catherine II was very pleased to Metropolitan Platon and regretted when the priest filed a petition of resignation from the diocese. From 1792 Plato settled in the monastery and only occasionally went to Moscow. After visiting the Bethany monastery by the Emperor Paul in 1797, at Bethany was established by the Seminary and the monastery acquired the status of second-class. For the Seminary built a separate building, and in 1800 on the day of the Lord's Transfiguration took place the solemn opening it. Metropolitan Platon happily dived in pedagogical activity. Died the priest in his monastery in November 1812, after the flight of the French from Moscow and was buried there as well.

In the nineteenth century Savior Bethany abode grows and develops. Expanding Theological Seminary, increase communal housing. In 1860 near chambers Plato begins the construction of a large five-domed two-story spirit Church with five thrones. In 1876 updated over the Holy gates, the bell tower appears in the spirit Church of Holy spirit. Both new buildings were above the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral. In connection with the brethren cemetery, I had to include the fence in 12 fathoms.

The Soviet authorities at the time extinguished the life Savior Bethany convent. Until 1925 the monastery was called selhozarteli, but this did not save him. First, the buildings were given to the orphanage, and since 1930 the lands of the monastery were called Potterdom for posting here poultry processing plant. The appearance of the monastery, too, began to change. Built consistently understood. Disappeared Transfiguration Cathedral, the Holy gate with bell. The Church of Holy spirit have lost their heads. Only since 1998 since the return of the remnants of the monastery of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra began the restoration of the Spaso-Bethany convent. Currently restored fence with front gate and bell tower, Cathedral of the Transfiguration mount Tabor in the interior, repaired the Church of Holy spirit and the building of the Seminary, restored the cell of Metropolitan Platon — founder of the monastery. But while the doors of this Holy monastery closed to visitors.