The monastery is the only one in Russia dedicated to the 'Mlekopitayushchaya' (Nursing) icon of the Mother of God.
The founder of the monastery was a local merchant named Vasily Mazurin, who received a blessing to build it after a series of divine visions.
During the Soviet period, the cathedral was repurposed for various secular functions, including a mechanical workshop and a warehouse.
The cathedral dome was originally designed with a specific cruciform layout that was unusual for regional architecture of the 19th century.
The monastery complex maintains a small apiary and a farm, which contribute to the self-sufficiency of the monks living there.
Bogorodichnyy Shcheglovskiy Monastyr' is an active male Orthodox monastery located on the outskirts of Tula. It was founded in the 1860s and is primarily known for housing a copy of the miraculous 'Mlekopitayushchaya' (Nursing) icon of the Mother of God. The architectural ensemble centers on the large, five-domed Cathedral of the Theotokos, which serves as the monastery's main church. The monastic complex includes restored monastic cells, a bell tower, and perimeter walls that enclose the grounds. Following decades of secular use during the Soviet era, the site was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church in the 1990s and has since undergone extensive restoration. It remains an functioning religious site today, maintaining its traditional monastic rhythm.
The main courtyard provides a clear view of the Cathedral of the Theotokos and its distinctive yellow and white architecture.
Visit during a liturgy to hear the traditional Orthodox choral singing.
Respect the monastic boundary by observing silence and avoiding loud conversations.
Check the notice board near the main entrance for announcements regarding special church holidays.
Avoid taking photos of the monks or clergy without explicit permission; do not engage in loud or disruptive behavior.
The cathedral may be closed to visitors during private monastic services or specific religious observances.
Women must cover their heads with a scarf and wear skirts; men should remove hats and avoid shorts; photography inside the church is generally prohibited.
