Khotkovsky Monastery

Intercession of the Theotokos Monastery in Khotkovo (Russian: Хотьковский Покровский монастырь). Khotkovo (Russian: Хотьково), which is best known as the site of a monastery, is a town in Sergiyevo-Posadsky District of Moscow Oblast, Russia, located 60 kilometers (37 mi) northeast of Moscow and 11 kilometers (6.8 mi) southwest of Sergiyev Posad, where great Trinity - St. Sergius Lavra (Troitsky Monastery) is situated. Monastery was founded in XIV century by the parents of the great Saint Sergius of Radonezh - Kirill and Maria. They became impoverished and moved to Radonezh, located about 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) from Sergiyev Posad together with their three sons: Stefan, Bartholomew, whose monastic name later become Sergius, and Peter. Upon his parents' death Bartholomew went to Khotkovo, where his older brother Stefan was a monk. He persuaded Stefan to find a more secluded place to live the ascetic life. In the deep forest at Makovets hill they decided to build a small cell and a church dedicated in honor of the Trinity. Thus started the history of the Troitsky Monastery.