Part 3. Sergiev posad is my native town.

WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS:

to be famous ['feɪməs] for smth the Trinity ['trɪnətɪ] Monastery ['mɔnəstərɪ] to be founded monk [mʌŋk] Sergey of Radonezh to be a prominent political figure ['fɪgə] to struggle ['strʌgl] for the unification [ˌjuːnɪfɪ'keɪʃən] of the Russian state to be closely connected with smb the battle on the Kulikovo field to seek for advice and blessing to stand a siege [siːʤ]  Peter the Great to find refuge ['refjuːʤ] to be elevated ['elɪveɪtɪd] to the highest rank of Lavra to rename in honour ['ɔnə] of smb the Assumption [ə'sʌmpʃn] Cathedral [kə'θiːdrəl] the Church [ʧɜːʧ] of the Holy ['həulɪ] Spirit the Belfry ['belfrɪ] an icon ['aɪkɔn]  painter ['peɪntə]  to create [krɪ'eɪt] a unique [juː'niːk] icon the history and Art Museum [mjuː'ziːəm] to display courage ['kʌrɪʤ] and heroism ['herəuɪzm] the Great Patriotic [ˌpætrɪ'ɔtɪk] War to be awarded [ə'wɔːdid] a title ['taɪtl] the title of hero ['hɪərəu] of the Soviet Union the Millennium of Christianity [ˌkrɪstɪ'ænətɪ] of the Russian state the Russian Orthodox ['ɔːθədɔks] Church the Research [rɪ'sɜːʧ] Institute of Toy-making an industrial [ɪn'dʌstrɪəl] (cultural ['kʌlʧərəl], political) centre ['sentə]

быть известным чем-либо Троицкий монастырь быть основанным монах Сергий Радонежский быть выдающимся политическим деятелем бороться за объединение русского государства быть тесно связанным с чем-либо Куликовская битва просить совета и благословения выдержать осаду Пётр Великий находить убежище присвоить высшее звание Лавра переименовать в честь кого-либо Успенский собор церковь Святого Духа колокольня иконописец создавать уникальную икону Историко-художественный музей проявлять мужество и героизм Великая Отечественная война награждать званием звание Героя Советского Союза тысячелетие Крещения Руси Русская православная церковь научно-исследовательский институт игрушки промышленный (культурный, политический) центр

Sergiev Posad.

There is always something attractive about every town or city, which is beautiful in its own way. I live in the city of Sergiev Posad which is situated not far from Moscow and which is famous for the Trinity Monastery founded in the 14^th century by monk Sergey of Radonezh. He was a prominent political figure at that time who struggled for the unification of the Russian State. Many historical events were closely connected with this monastery. For example, Prince Dmitry of Don came to the monastery before the battle on the Kulikovo field to seek for advice and blessing from Sergey of Radonezh. It was a great event in the history of the Russian State.

In the 16^th century this monastery became the fortress. In the 17^th century it courageously stood a 16-month siege.

Peter the Great twice found refuge in this monastery, in 1682 and in 1689.

In 1744 the monastery was elevated to the highest rank of “Lavra”.

In 1782 the town around the Lavra was called Sergiev Posad, which in 1930 was renamed Zagorsk, in honour of V.M.Zagorskey, a prominent Communist Party leader.

The Trinity Monastery is also famous for its beautiful architecture. The Trinity Cathedral was built in the 15^th century. One can also see the huge Cathedral of the Assumption, the Church of the Holy Spirit built by Pskov craftsmen, but the most impressive is the Belfry built in the 18^th century. It is 87 metres high.

It is necessary to say that the Trinity Monastery has always been the centre of Russian culture. Many artists and scholars used to live and work there. Such famous icon painters as Andrei Rublev and Daniil Chyorny created many unique icons within the walls of this monastery.

The History and Art museum is in the Lavra. A fine collection of icons can be seen in the State Art Museum. The Research Institute of Toy-making, the only one in the country is also in our town. The people of Sergiev Posad displayed courage and heroism in the grim years of the Great Patriotic war. Fourteen of them were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

In 1988 a great event was celebrated in our city – the Millennium of Christianity of the Russian State. Many foreign guests were invited for this great celebration. In 1991 the old name Sergiev Posad was returned to the city. Now Sergiev Posad is the centre of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Sergiev Posad is also a great industrial and cultural centre, which is included into the “Golden Ring of Russia”. I am proud of my city.

Exercise 1. Translate into Russian: something attractive about every town or city; situated not far from Moscow; a great event; to be included into the “Golden Ring of Russia”; to be beautiful in its own way; a 16-month siege; the Millennium of Christianity of the Russian State; the centre of the Russian Orthodox Church; great celebration; collection of icons; a prominent political figure; to seek for advice and blessing; within the walls of this monastery; in the history of the Russian State.

Exercise 2. Translate into English:бороться за объединение русского государства; находить убежище; выдержать осаду; присвоить высшее звание Лавра; переименовать в честь Загорского; промышленный и культурный центр; проявлять мужество и героизм; создавать уникальную икону; награждать званием героя Советского Союза; единственный в стране; суровые годы Великой Отечественной Войны; иностранные гости; необходимо сказать;

многие исторические события; недалеко от Москвы.

Exercise 3. Answer the questions:

1. Where is Sergiev Posad situated?

2. What is it famous for?

3. What do you know about Sergey of Radonezh?

4. What princes and tsars came to the Trinity Monastery?

5. What cathedrals and churches are there on the territory of the Trinity Monastery?

6. What museums are there in Sergiev Posad?

7. What is your favourite place in Sergiev Posad?

Exercise 4. Fill in the prepositions if necessary:

1. … 1744 the monastery was elevated to the highest rank … “Lavra”.

2. I live … Sergiev Posad which is situated not far … Moscow.

3. Many … foreign guests were invited … the Millennium … Christianity … the Russian State … 1988.

4. … 1930 Sergiev Posad was renamed … Zagorsk … honour … V.M.Zagorskey.

5. The Trinity Monastery was founded … the 14^th century … monk Sergey … Radonezh.

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