Alekseevsky Stavropigial Women's Monastery, one of the church jewels of Moscow, has survived many difficult periods but is now striving for prosperity again.

The history of this monastery dates back to 1358 in Moscow when it was founded and named in honor of Saint Alexis. Alexis was born in Rome in the second half of the 4th century to a Christian family. At 18, he married but soon left his family to dedicate himself to wandering, giving his possessions to the poor. He lived for 17 years in Edessa, earning a living through alms. A local priest had visions in which the Most Holy Theotokos pointed to Alexis as a man of God.

After returning home, Alexis lived for another 17 years, concealing his identity. His true nature was revealed only after his death. The idea of creating the monastery belonged to Metropolitan Alexis. Initially, the monastery was located between the Moscow River and Ostozhenka but often suffered from fires, calamities, and invasions. In 1514, the monastery burned down, and a stone church was built in its place. After another fire in 1547, Ivan the Terrible moved the monastery to the Kremlin walls. During the Time of Troubles, the monastery was plundered, and restoration was completed only in 1634. The War of 1812 caused significant damage to the monastery, but the sisters managed to save valuables by pretending to be ill.

Under Nicholas I, the monastery was relocated to Krasnoe Selo, and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was built in its place. Construction at the new site continued until the end of the 19th century. In 1837, a procession was held to transfer the relics, and in 1840, a cemetery was established, improving the monastery's financial situation. A new church was built in 1853. Under the guidance of Abbess Antonina, the monastery expanded and flourished, becoming almost a school for future abbesses. In 1922, the authorities confiscated valuables, and in 1924, the nuns were evicted. In 1925, the monastery was closed, leaving only the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross.

During the Soviet era, various institutions were located on the monastery grounds, and a highway divided it into two parts. Revival began in the 1990s, and since 2013, the monastery has been active again. The main church serves as a Patriarchal metochion, and services are held daily. A school operates at the monastery where children study Church Slavonic and the basics of Orthodoxy. The monastery museum, opened in 2012, tells the history of the monastery and the life of Abbess Antonina.

The architectural ensemble of the monastery includes the Church of Alexis the Man of God, built in 1853 according to the design of Mikhail Bykovsky. The church is adorned with decorative elements in the style of ancient Russian architecture. It houses valuable gifts, such as the Gospel of 1630 and the Service Book of Peter Mogila. In 1899, the church was reconstructed, and artist Chernyshev painted the domes and walls.

The Church of All Saints, laid in 1887, was completed in 1891. Architect A. A. Nikiforov was inspired by national art. Restoration work began in 1991, and today the church is surrounded by a new fence.

The monastery cemetery was unique, with numerous paths and burials of famous people. After the 1919 revolution, the cemetery was closed and turned into a park, later divided by a highway. Today, part of the cemetery may become active again. A memorial chapel dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God, the Unfading Bloom, has been built here.

The monastery gates are made of red brick and decorated with mosaics. The monastery houses miraculous icons and relics, including the icon of the Mother of God, the All-Merciful and the icon of Saint Alexis. The relics of saints are also located here.

The monastery is located at: 2nd Krasnoselsky Lane, building 7, structure 8. It is easily accessible from Krasnoselskaya metro station by following Krasnoprudnaya Street to the Rusakovsky overpass and then along Gavrikov Street to the monastery fence.