Countless treasures, great holy relics, ancient icons, and priceless historical artifacts are shown to its guests by the Sacristy of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. The extensive collections of this museum of church art are housed in the former chambers of the abbots and the monastery sacristy.
The exhibition consists of two historical sections of the sacristy collection of artistic valuables. One of them is dedicated to objects from the Middle Ages (14th-17th centuries), while the second covers a later period from the 18th century to the end of the 19th century.
From the point of view of believers, the most valuable items are the most ancient icons: here there are examples of Byzantine images, creations by famous masters of the finest icon-painting schools, and works of the Trinity-Sergius workshop.
Rich vestments adorned with precious stones, gold embroidery, and exquisite needlework were donated to the monastery by the finest craftswomen of Russia, as well as noble ladies skilled in handicraft. The first wife of Tsar Vasily III embroidered an entire picture in gold and pearls depicting the appearance of the Mother of God to Sergiy Radonezhsky. She presented it to the Lavra so that the monks would pray for the tsarina to be healed of infertility. Unfortunately, the prayers were not answered, and Ivan the Terrible's father forcibly sent his childless wife to a monastery.
The Sacristy of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra possesses one of the largest collections of antique church utensils, handwritten and first printed books, and other incredibly interesting and valuable relics.
