The book offered to readers is dedicated to the greatest Russian saint of the 18th century – Metropolitan Plato of Moscow (Levshin; 1737-1812). It opens with the biography of the ever-memorable archpastor, published by the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra in 1900. In the following chapters, written by a group of employees of the Sergiev Posad State Historical and Art Museum-Reserve, one of the most interesting pages in the biography of the Moscow saint is examined in detail – the history of his creation of the Spaso-Bethans Monastery. Extensive material is introduced into scientific circulation, including a number of previously unknown archival documents, as well as never-published museum exhibits – preserved vestments and utensils from the Bethany sacristy, works of art and furnishings from the Bethany chambers of Metropolitan Plato. Many aspects of the history of Bethany, especially the initial stage of the monastery’s existence, are covered for the first time in this publication. The book ends with a story about the restoration of the Spaso-Bethans Monastery after many years of neglect.

The book will undoubtedly be of interest to all admirers of the outstanding hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, to all who are interested in church history and church art.