Lavra

In Orthodox Christianity Lavra or Laura (Greek: ?????; Cyrillic: ??́???) originally meant a cluster of cells or caves for hermits, with a church and sometimes a refectory at the center. The term originates from Greek where it means "a passage" or "an alley".

Related Topics:
Orthodox Christianity - Greek - Cyrillic - Hermits - Church - Refectory

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In Muscovy, Imperial Russia, and in more recent times, the largest and the most important Russian Orthodox monasteries were called lavras and were subordinated directly to the Patriarch of Moscow. In 1721, they became subordinated to the Holy Synod.

Related Topics:
Muscovy - Imperial Russia - Russian Orthodox - Patriarch of Moscow - 1721 - Holy Synod

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