ON THE FOUNDATION OF NIZHNY NOVGOROD ASCENSION MONASTERY

The article deals with the formation of the Pechersky Ascension Monastery in the city of Nizhny Novgorod in the first half of the XIII century. The role of Saint Dionysius of Suzdal in the creation of the monastery is traced. The time interval during which the monastery could be formed is determined. The hypotheses of researchers regarding the date of the Ascension Monastery’s foundation are analyzed. The issue concerning the personality of the founder – Saint Dionysius, the place where the monastery was originally founded, is investigated. It is concluded that the foundation of the Ascension Monastery is not only an important milestone in the history of Nizhny Novgorod, but also an important stage in the spread of monastic “cenobia” throughout the Northeastern Russia.