The history of foundation of the Svensk Monastery
The Svensk-Pechersk Icon of the Mother of God written by the Monk Alypii of Pechersk ( about 1114) was situated at the Kievo-Pechersk monastery, where it was glorified by miracles. In 1288 the Chernigov prince Roman Mikhailovich, then at Bryansk, fell blind. Hearing about the miracles worked by the icon of the Monk Alypii, the prince sent to the monastery a courier with a request to send him at Bryansk the icon for his healing. They dispatched the icon together with a priest along the River Desna. During the time of sailing the boat came in to land at the right bank of the River Svena. After lodging for the night they went to the boat to make prayers before the icon, but they did not find it there, and they saw it upon an hill opposite the River Svena. The icon stood on an oak amidst the branches.
News of this reached prince Roman, and they led him to the icon on foot. The prince prayed fervently before the icon and vowed to build on that spot a monastery.. After the prayer the prince regained his sight. At first he saw the footpath, then nearby objects, and finally all the surroundings. Having made an enclosure for the icon, the prince had a molieben served, and then all that were gathered made the foundations for a wooden church. in honour of the Most Holy Mother of God. The tree, on which the icon set, they cut up and used as wood for other icons. And then was established a feastday of the Svensk Icon of the Mother of God. The icon was glorified by healings of the blind, demoniacs, and was a protector from enemies.
Exercise 3. Translate into English
Свенская-Печерская икона Божьей Матери, написанная преподобным Алипием Печерским (около 1114 г.), находилась в Киево-Печерском монастыре. Она славилась чудотворным действием. Черниговский князь Роман Михайлович стал первым князем Брянского княжества. В 1288 в Брянске он ослеп. Князь послал в Киево-Печерский монастырь гонца с просьбой прислать икону Божьей Матери для его исцеления. Икона была отправлена в сопровождении священника по реке Десна. Во время путешествия лодка причалила к правому берегу реки Свень на ночлег. Священник и гонцы хотели помолиться перед иконой, но не нашли ее в лодке. Они увидели ее на холме напротив реки Свень. Она стояла среди ветвей дуба.
Они отвели князя Романа к иконе пешком. Князь страстно молился перед иконой и поклялся построить на этом месте монастырь. После молитвы к князю вернулось зрение. Князь отслужил молебен и собранные средства пошли на строительсво деревянной церкви в честь Пресвятой Богородицы. Дерево, на котором была найдена икона, было срублено и использовано для создания новых икон.
Text C
Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, commercial and cultural centre. It was founded 9 centuries ago by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted the year of 1147 as the start of Moscow's history. Gradually the city became more and more powerful. In the 13th century Moscow was the centre of the struggle of Russian lands for the liberation from the tartar yoke. In the 16th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow became the capital of the new united state. Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1712, Moscow remained the heart of Russia. That is why it became the main target of Napoleon's attack. Three-quarters of the city was destroyed by fire during Napoleon's occupation, but by the mid-19th century Moscow had been completely restored. After the October revolution Moscow became the capital again.
Now Moscow is one of the largest cities in Europe. Its total area is about nine hundred square kilometres (ancient Moscow occupied the territory of the present-day Kremlin). The population of the city is over 9 million.
Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The heart of Moscow is Red Square. It has more historic associations than any other place in Moscow. The Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral (Vastly Blazheny) are masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture. The main Kremlin tower, the Spasskaya Tower, has become the symbol of the country. On the territory of the Kremlin you can see old cathedrals, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great, the Tzar-Cannon and the Tzar-Bell, the biggest cannon and bell in the world. St Basil's Cathedral was built in the mid-16th century in memory of the victory over Kazan. There's a legend that Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects Barma and Postnik, because he didn't want them to create another masterpiece.
There are more than 100 museums in Moscow. The largest museums are the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and the State Tretyakov Gallery. Other unique museums in Moscow include the All-Russia Museum of Folk Arts, the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Art, Mikhail Glinka Museum of Musical Culture and many others. Moscow is famous for its theatres. The best-known of them is the Bolshoi Opera House. Drama theatres and studios are also very popular.
Moscow is a city of students. There are over 100 higher educational institutions in it. Moscow University was founded in 1755. It is the oldest university in Russia.
There are a lot of beautiful palaces, old mansions, cathedrals, churches and monuments in Moscow. Now Moscow is being reconstructed and we all hope that in a few years the city will become even more beautiful.
Exercise 4. Find English equivalents:
столица, торговый, принимать, постепенно, мощный, освобождение, объединенное государство, хотя, главная цель, три четверти; полностью; восстанавливать; общая площадь; сердце; исторические ассоциации; шедевры; соборы; царь-пушка; царь-колокол; ослепить; особняки, церкви.
Exercise 5. Finish the following sentences and retell the text
Moscow was founded …
In the 13th century Moscow …
In the 16th century under …
Peter the Great moved the capital …
But Moscow remained …
Three-quarters of the city was destroyed …
After the October revolution …
Now Moscow is …
The population of the city …
The heart of Moscow is …
The Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral (Vastly Blazheny) are …
On the territory of the Kremlin you can see …
St Basil's Cathedral was built …
In Moscow the largest museums are …
Moscow is famous for …
The best-known of them is …
There are over …
Moscow University was …
Now Moscow is being …
Text D