The role of the Holy Trinity Alexander-Svirsky Monastery in Russian history and culture was discussed at the Presidential Library

September 23, 2015, the Presidential Library hosted scientific readings, where experts in the field of ecclesiastical and civil history, cultural studies and art criticism discussed the important issues related to the role and place of the Holy Trinity Alexander-Svirsky Monastery in Russian history and culture.

It was stressed that the Holy Trinity Alexander-Svirsky Monastery is one of the most famous and oldest monasteries of the North-West of Russia. It was founded in the late 15^th century by Alexander Svirsky, and for over five hundred years has had a huge impact on the spiritual, intellectual, educational, artistic, economic and military life in Russia.

The history of the monastery is inseparably linked with the name of the holy and righteous Alexander Svirsky. According to the superior of the monastery, Bishop of Tikhvin and Lodeynoye Pole Mstislav "Alexander Svirsky was the most famous saint, revered in Russia and abroad, his role in the history was great." Alexander Svirsky became famous for his righteous way of life, he brought up many students in the monastery. The importance of the monastery in the development of spiritual culture is evidenced by the fact that over the years grand princes, tsars, Russian emperors, high-born noblemen, merchants contributed to its construction.

The Presidential Library holds many rare editions covering the saint's life and the history of his monastery. Among the rare books there is "The Life of the Reverend and Father Alexander Svirsky" of 1818 and others.

The Presidential Library develops active cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church. According to Deputy Director General Pavel Tereschenko, this kind of cooperation is one of the priorities of the Presidential Library. Of great interest is the digitization of books on the history of church-state relations, materials aimed at disclosing the biographies of revered Russian saints.

"The main task of the Presidential Library, which is located in a historic building of the Holy Synod, is to preserve and provide access to the materials related to the history of the Russian state. Spirituality and the state are the two inextricably linked concepts in the history of Russia," concluded Pavel Tereshchenko.

Today, the Presidential Library website features under the heading "Collections" a selection of materials "The History of the Russian Orthodox Church." The collection includes books about the origin and development of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is above all the fundamental works from the pen of important church leaders and church historians. Today, the Presidential Library collections number in total about 400, 000 units.