Mine page / The Church of Saint Ambrose of Milan
The Church of Saint Ambrose of Milan
The second stone structure within the convent after the Smolensk Cathedral is a complex of buildings, including the single-domed Church of Saint Ambrose of Milan, a refectory, and residential chambers. These structures were built throughout the 16th century and completed by 1598, though they were later rebuilt multiple times.
The architecture of these buildings is consistent with 16th-century styles—monumental forms with restrained decoration. In January 1598, Tsarina Irina Godunova, the widow of Tsar Feodor Ivanovich, settled in these chambers. Irina, the sister of boyar and future tsar Boris Godunov, took monastic vows under the name Alexandra and established a sewing workshop. In her chambers, Irina embroidered the shroud "Praise of the Mother of God" with figures of Saint Martyr Irina and herself as Nun Alexandra.
The architecture of these buildings is consistent with 16th-century styles—monumental forms with restrained decoration. In January 1598, Tsarina Irina Godunova, the widow of Tsar Feodor Ivanovich, settled in these chambers. Irina, the sister of boyar and future tsar Boris Godunov, took monastic vows under the name Alexandra and established a sewing workshop. In her chambers, Irina embroidered the shroud "Praise of the Mother of God" with figures of Saint Martyr Irina and herself as Nun Alexandra.
Later, her brother Boris Feodorovich Godunov moved to Novodevichy Convent, which was connected to his election as tsar and became his temporary residence.
