presentation secondary school portlaoise

Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise

• Address: Borris Road, Portlaoise
• Tel: 057 866 8002
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.scoilchriostriportlaoise.ie/

Mission Statement

Scoil Chríost Rí is a Christian Community, whose focus is the holistic formation and development of young people including those who are specially challenged. This task is undertaken with care, compassion and concern for each student. Scoil Chríost Rí is a place of growth and development which is both challenging and responsive.

School History

The convent in Portlaoise was established in 1824 in the old Infirmary. The annals record that on the first day, 216 girls flocked to the school.

Some of they were 14 years old and none were very young in the beginning-not until an infant school was built for them. Daniel O’Connell befriended the convent and gave the nuns legal advice to secure their property.

The convent was erected in 1886-this was also the school. In 1932 the school fronting the road at Church Avenue was built, this time with some government assistance-this is know as the Sacred Heart School.

The second primary school, Scoil Mhuire was built in 1955 and the secondary, Scoil Chríost Rí, was finished in 1968. The first Board of Management was appointed in 1989.

The school has a strong academic history and excels in Basketball and Athletics.

News from Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise

17 Dec 2019

Scoil chriost ri news portlaoise – december 2019.

Book Drive for Peter McVerry Trust We have over 200 packages of books to deliver to the Peter…

17 Dec 2015

Ty’s of scoil chriost ri, portlaoise stage the musical dancing queen.

The Transition Year students of Scoil Chriost Ri, Portlaoise had a busy few days recently as they brought their…

17 Dec 2014

Scoil chríost rí, portlaoise stage 3rd year debating final.

It is said that Debating is a sport truly worthy of the Olympics – it trains people to…

08 May 2014

Two all ireland titles in one day for scoil chríost rí, portlaoise.

Wednesday the 7th of May was an eventful day for Scoil Chriost Rí in Portlaoise. While many schools…

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Welcome to our school website. We invite you to browse through our school’s activities, curriculum, photos and policies to get a sense of who the school community at St Mary’s CBS really are. We hope you will watch it grow and develop, as our school does, year on year.

Here, in St Mary’s CBS, we have strong historical ties with Portlaoise town, the surrounding townlands and in particular, with our original school in Tower Hill. This year, 2022, marks our school’s founding in Tower Hill 175 years ago. 1847 was a difficult time in the history of Ireland. Famine was looming and political, social, religious and agricultural unrest would mark the next few decades. Despite these upheavals, Edmund Rice founded a small school in our town, one of the first outside of Waterford and Dublin, which has continued to the 21st Century to educate the young men of our community.

For those interested in our history, the original corner stones of the Tower Hill school, which were removed from the Tower Hill school in 2010, are now part of our school entrance in the Borris Road.

In 2010, we opened the doors of the Borris Road site with 500 students. Since then we have steadily grown and have grown into our extensive building and school campus. Our facilities, which include the impressive Rice Nagle Sports Facility, soccer and GAA pitches and basketball hard courts, are among the best in the country and our students and staff enjoy state of the art facilities in which to learn and work.

However a school facility merely provides a venue in which to provide the opportunities our students deserve in which to grow, gain experience and skills to leave our school with. We have shown over the years that our students are cared for holistically, as individuals. True to the Edmund Rice tradition, which underpins all our policies and curricula, we endeavour to:• Provide excellent teaching and learning, • Promote partnership with the wider school community, • Create a caring school community • Nurture faith, Christian spirituality and Gospel-based values • Provide leadership opportunities for students and staff alike

I hope you will enjoy browsing this website and learning about life in St Mary’s CBS. The daily notifications on the homepage are a feed from our School App. If your son is already a student, you can easily download and sign up to our App where you will be kept updated daily on school information and activities. Our office is available to answer your queries and support you and your son(s) on his journey with us.

Take A Tour Of Our School

View the video below to take a tour around our wonderful school and to give you a better insight into life in St Marys CBS, Portlaoise

Latest News

Student Council Applications 24/25

May 11, 2024 | General News

The Student Council is an integral part of the school community and ensures that the "Student Voice" is heard. It allows students to develop skills such as team work and organisation and builds confidence.  Students are asked to return their applications for the...

St. Mary’s CBS Podcast is back!

Welcome back to St. Mary’s CBS Podcast! On this episode, we’re going to have a throwback to the TY musical! We are going to the viewing party on Monday to see our hard work live so in the lead up to this we are bringing you a musical centred podcast! We interviewed...

1st Year Soccer reach Leinster Shield Final

Our 1st year soccer team booked their place in the Leinster Shield final with a hard fought 4-3 win over Colaiste Eanna, Rathfarnham in Clane FC. ️ CBS couldn’t have asked for a better start with their first attack seeing Eoin Fitzpatrick find the back of the net. ️ 5...

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The aim of this website is to make information such as policies and upcoming events available to parents and the whole school community. On the website you will also find a monthly newsletter which will tell you all about the exciting things that we do in our school. We are always very busy in our school!

Our staff is committed to establishing and maintaining a school environment that allows our pupils to grow spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and socially.

Tá súil againn go mbainfidh sibh taitneamh as!

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Thank you for continuing to support our school lotto as we raise money for our all weather pitch, link to sign up available here..

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Awards day 22/23.

.Before our Easter break, four students from LC Class of 23 were honoured at the UCD & Trinity College First Year Scholarship Entrance Awards for their outstanding Leaving Cert results.nvara Green received an award from Trinity College. Laura Cooney, Holly Sweeney and Gabrielle O’Mahoney received Entrance Scholarship Awards from UCD. Our school is very proud of the achievements of all four students and we wish them every success in their Third Level studies.

presentation secondary school ‍ ‍ Presentation Secondary School Clonmel are delighted to announce the redevelopment of their school’s playing facilities which will take place over the duration of the next two years. ‍ ‍

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Presentation Secondary School Thurles

Fearaimid fíorchaoin fáilte roimh gach scoláire chuig Clochar na Toirbhirte Dúrlas Éile.

We hope that this website will give you a flavour of the breadth of opportunities that await you here at Presentation Secondary School.It is our privilege to be able to share with you what it is that makes Presentation Thurles such a unique place of learning.

The many generations that have passed through the portals of the school have had to face the challenges of their day

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Academic Awards

Leaving Certificate 2023

Academic Excellence

Junior Cycle 2023

Supporting our school community.

#Think Languages Event

Meitheal leaders.

Vibrant school community.

Blood Brothers

Our musical was a huge success.

Junior and Senior Leinster Champions 2022

Senior girl's football, active learning, senior boy's football.

Our Mission Statement

First Year Soccer Blitz

Senior Football Final

T he final of the school indoor soccer tournament takes place today in the Sports Hall between  BBC Young Boys  and  JV X Nicky 4K , with kick-off at 1:20pm. The semi-finals were hard-fought, intense games and the final looks set to be the same! Update later..

EPAS Awards 2024

Pres Hurlers come up short after battling display

Presentation College/Gaelcoláiste Carlow: 2.6   Scoil Aireagail: 4.10 Pres had plenty of heroes on the day with Callum Nolan Swayne and the McGrath twins, Josh and Alex, playing a leading role alongside team Captain Jack McDonald, while First Year student Danny McMahon had an excellent game, finishing with 1.5 to his name. Click on heading for full report and more photos...

Top Result in the 2023 Leaving Certificate DCG Examinations

Presentation College, Carlow

The school is a co-educational Catholic voluntary secondary school which caters for pupils of all religions and backgrounds. We aim to provide our pupils with an education that equips them for life and living in the modern world. We aim to challenge students to share with us the Christian vision of life. We have drawn up a Mission Statement that describes the kind of school we wish to be. We hope that every member of the school community will attempt to live by it and we intend that all of our decisions are informed by it and our school development plans based on it.

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Contact Information

•   059 914 3927
• Askea, Carlow   Registered Charity Number: CHY20204581   Registered Charity Number: CHY20204581

  First Year Soccer Blitz

  senior football final,   epas awards 2024,   pres hurlers come up short after battling display,   top result in the 2023 leaving certificate dcg examinations.

Presentation P.S.

Bunscoil na Toirbhirte Station Road, Portarlington, Laois

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8th – 29th January: Admissions open for Junior Infants & Early Intervention classes 24/25 .

Please click here to support our weekly LOTTO fundraiser.

Please click here for our updated Child Safeguarding Statement & Risk Assessment. here for our LOTTO Results -->

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The Presentation Sisters were founded by Nano Nagle in 1775. The Sisters first came to Castleisland in October 1846 when Mother Joseph Hartnett, a native of Sandville, established a new foundation of the Presentation Order. The Sisters, though in dire straits themselves, worked tirelessly for the poor during the Famine years. In 1850, thanks largely to the financial contribution of Michael Hartnett, brother of Mother Joseph, a school run by the Sisters was opened.

From 1927-1945 a ‘Secondary Top’ operated within the Primary School system and in 1945 it was decided to open a separate Secondary School. Rooms were rented in the then Parish Hall (now the Veterinary Centre) and Presentation Secondary School was opened in September 1946. In 1951 the location changed to the Imperial Hotel (now Castletown House) and over 100 girls were enrolled.

A new Primary School was opened in 1966 and the old premises became available for use as a Secondary School. This was opened in 1968 and major extensions were added in 1974 (St. Anne’s Building) and 1978 (St. Elizabeth’s Building). St. John’s Hall was opened in 1972. Upgrade and renovation work has continued over the years throughout the school premises.

Since 2007 the Presentation Order’s role in education has entered a new phase. In that year, the Presentation Sisters along with the Sisters of Mercy, Daughters of Charity, the Sisters of Christian Retreat and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart came together to form CEIST (Catholic Education – an Irish Schools Trust). We trust that the spirit and tradition of Nano Nagle will still shine brightly and inspire all those involved in nurturing and developing CEIST in the future.

In 2017, our school celebrated the 90th anniversary of education here in Presentation Castleisland. The ceremony was led by Bishop Ray Browne, with a host of special guests, which included CEO of CEIST Máire Griffin, Colin Roddy (CEIST), the Castleisland Presentation Sisters and past pupils and students.

Church Street, Castleisland, Co. Kerry

T: +353 (066) 714 1178 | E: [email protected]

School Roll Number: 641800

Registered Charity #: 20147679

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Time in Balashikha , Moscow Oblast, Russia now

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• The current local time in Balashikha is 25 minutes ahead of apparent solar time.

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• Population: 150,000

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• Kontinental Hockey League

Gagarin Cup Preview: Atlant vs. Salavat Yulaev

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Gagarin cup (khl) finals:  atlant moscow oblast vs. salavat yulaev ufa.

Much like the Elitserien Finals, we have a bit of an offense vs. defense match-up in this league Final.  While Ufa let their star top line of Alexander Radulov, Patrick Thoresen and Igor Grigorenko loose on the KHL's Western Conference, Mytischi played a more conservative style, relying on veterans such as former NHLers Jan Bulis, Oleg Petrov, and Jaroslav Obsut.  Just reaching the Finals is a testament to Atlant's disciplined style of play, as they had to knock off much more high profile teams from Yaroslavl and St. Petersburg to do so.  But while they did finish 8th in the league in points, they haven't seen the likes of Ufa, who finished 2nd. 

This series will be a challenge for the underdog, because unlike some of the other KHL teams, Ufa's top players are generally younger and in their prime.  Only Proshkin amongst regular blueliners is over 30, with the work being shared by Kirill Koltsov (28), Andrei Kuteikin (26), Miroslav Blatak (28), Maxim Kondratiev (28) and Dmitri Kalinin (30).  Oleg Tverdovsky hasn't played a lot in the playoffs to date.  Up front, while led by a fairly young top line (24-27), Ufa does have a lot of veterans in support roles:  Vyacheslav Kozlov , Viktor Kozlov , Vladimir Antipov, Sergei Zinovyev and Petr Schastlivy are all over 30.  In fact, the names of all their forwards are familiar to international and NHL fans:  Robert Nilsson , Alexander Svitov, Oleg Saprykin and Jakub Klepis round out the group, all former NHL players.

For Atlant, their veteran roster, with only one of their top six D under the age of 30 (and no top forwards under 30, either), this might be their one shot at a championship.  The team has never won either a Russian Superleague title or the Gagarin Cup, and for players like former NHLer Oleg Petrov, this is probably the last shot at the KHL's top prize.  The team got three extra days rest by winning their Conference Final in six games, and they probably needed to use it.  Atlant does have younger regulars on their roster, but they generally only play a few shifts per game, if that. 

The low event style of game for Atlant probably suits them well, but I don't know how they can manage to keep up against Ufa's speed, skill, and depth.  There is no advantage to be seen in goal, with Erik Ersberg and Konstantin Barulin posting almost identical numbers, and even in terms of recent playoff experience Ufa has them beat.  Luckily for Atlant, Ufa isn't that far away from the Moscow region, so travel shouldn't play a major role. 

I'm predicting that Ufa, winners of the last Superleague title back in 2008, will become the second team to win the Gagarin Cup, and will prevail in five games.  They have a seriously well built team that would honestly compete in the NHL.  They represent the potential of the league, while Atlant represents closer to the reality, as a team full of players who played themselves out of the NHL. 

• Atlant @ Ufa, Friday Apr 8 (3:00 PM CET/10:00 PM EST)
• Atlant @ Ufa, Sunday Apr 10 (1:00 PM CET/8:00 AM EST)
• Ufa @ Atlant, Tuesday Apr 12 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)
• Ufa @ Atlant, Thursday Apr 14 (5:30 PM CET/12:30 PM EST)

Games 5-7 are as yet unscheduled, but every second day is the KHL standard, so expect Game 5 to be on Saturday, like an early start. 

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'Reclaiming your ... soul': Ministry's mental health talk in Alpena schools under scrutiny

A child's open-eyed gaze, a floating human brain and a swirl of social media logos on a flyer for a public school event caught Molly Stepanski's attention. But it was the fine print that brought her up short: "Reclaiming Your Human Soul from the Digital Dark Age."

Stepanski, a parent in Alpena Public Schools, read further to the bottom of the promotion for "The Media Mind," a presentation by Scott Ritsema, head of a fundamentalist religious organization called Belt of Truth Ministries, and learned the free talk is being given inside Alpena High School's auditorium this coming week.

More: Mental health talk by ministry leader at Alpena high school cancelled due to illness

Stepanski said she sees red flags and has asked the superintendent and school board how they are maintaining religious neutrality and inclusivity within a public educational environment when the district is hosting what she calls a "religiously motivated" event on school grounds.

"I am thinking about kids who don’t believe in God and how does this further this message that they can help you reclaim your soul?" Stepanski said.

District officials are defending the upcoming talk, vowing it is non-religious and essential to addressing the increased levels of anxiety and depression experienced by students as they become more dependent on social media use.

"This is not a religious presentation in any way, shape or form," said David Rabbideau, superintendent of schools. "This man is a Christian, as we are fully entitled to do in this society. People are operating under this impression that because of his life outside as a religious person, that the presentation will be religious. That is false."

Alpena's school president agreed.

"We have received more positive feedback than negative (for this talk), and people are thankful we are trying to bring awareness to the dangers of social media and screen time," President Anna Meinhardt said. "Anything we can do to reach more families is important."

One legal expert said the Michigan school district — located in a predominately White and Christian area of the state — is walking a fine legal line just inside what is allowed under the First Amendment when it comes to a religiously neutral environment.

Brad Banasick, legal counsel for the Michigan Association of School Boards, said the talk is being given after school hours, is not for credit and is not an assembly or a graduation.

"There isn’t a coercive aspect in that students are being forced to participate in a religious activity," Banasick said. "You can't assume that because the person is a minister or a preacher that it is a religious event. Once you are there and once you hear it and you think the line has been crossed, you can file a complaint that this time."

Officials with the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan declined to comment.

What the ministry promotes

The optional May 7 presentation on school grounds is one of seven events in May held by the district to help families address the youth mental health crisis related to social media use. Rabbideau said the talk is meant for adults in the community, not children. He has viewed the slides for the talk and viewed video clips of the presentation and said it contains no religious references.

"His title has the word soul in it. Yes, I get it. People want to make that connection," Rabbideau said. "He was very clear and has been very clear with me that this is not a chance for him to preach. It's a discussion on social media."

The Belt of Truth Ministry's website describes itself as "a fundamental Bible-believing faith-based community." The site says Ritsema began the ministry, based in the Montcalm County community of Lakeview, in 2013 "to lead others to Jesus — not as a career, but as a calling." Since then, the Belt of Truth has developed "a community of believers interested in pursuing the present truths for the prophetic times in which we live," the site says.

Ritsema, who is also an author and sells CDs and DVDs of his presentation, has several online Biblical presentations including "A Greater Lust: Your Brain on Pornography" and "SCHOOLED: The Deliberate Agenda to Destroy Individuality, Reduce Intelligence and Re-Engineer Society."

In the presentation on pornography addiction, he blames witchcraft and the devil. In the video on schooling, he says, "Do you think Satan wants children and you thinking?" and says to accomplish the goals of modern education, "the family must be destroyed." Some of his online videos show him advising people that the only way to reclaim the soul is through God.

Ritsema did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

In a Facebook post, Ritsema says he has "never brought religious content into my public sector messages. Not once. In fact, I taught for years in the classroom against doing just that," he wrote, adding that the "usual flyer" had all of the religious emblems and words removed as a special version made for the school district event. He also says “soul” has strictly non-religious meaning.

Mobile device policy conflicts

Rabbideau said the district was examining its mobile device policies last year and had scheduled the minister to speak on the topic last fall but due to a scheduling conflict moved it to the spring.

Just this school year, Alpena Public Schools changed the policy to ban mobile devices at the junior high during the school day except for lunch. At the high school, devices can be viewed during class exchanges in the hallways or at lunch.

The students have pushed back with several dozen devices being confiscated at the high school and some at the junior high, Rabbideau said. Students are warned first and then a parent has to come pick up the device after a repeat offense.

"The stress, anxiety. We are certainly seeing an increase in that. A big focus is taking care of our students and how you get out of that cycle," Rabbideau said. "We are dealing with bullying on social media. That is a tough one for us. The school district is not empowered to deal with bullying outside school on social media. ... I wish we had more tools."

Ritsema is not being paid and no taxpayer money is being used for the event, which is expected to last less than an hour in the school district of 3,715 students.

Critics: Co-opting mental health issue

Still, Sara Grochowski, a district resident concerned about the talk, said Ritsema's faith and his proselytizing are what he is known for online and on social media itself.

"He seems like a grifter that is co-opting the mental health movement to get into a school," Grochowski said.

Diane Bauer, a resident within Alpena Public Schools, said she was shocked by the district's decision to allow Ritsema to speak at a school event, saying he lacks the qualifications to be advising families on mental health issues.

Bauer, a retired registered nurse, argued that the district should be using a mental health professional to deliver a message on how to help parents and community member learn how to improve the mental well-being of children.

"It is supposed to be about mental health awareness week and I know families are struggling," Bauer said. "I want parents to have local access to resources and all this guy has to offer is mission-driven resources."

Official: 'Pick and choose what appeals'

Meinhardt, the school board president, said neither Ritsema nor the other speakers who are part of the district's mental health programming for May are being held up as experts.

"They are all a variety of speakers, and you can pick and choose what appeals to you and what does not," Meinhardt said.

The board president said she will attend the presentation and has purchased some of Ritsema's books .

"I speak for the board and each member may not share Mr. Ritsema's religious views, but we are all greatly concerned about the mental health of our students and the role social media plays in that," said Meinhardt, who has two teenage sons who attend the district.

Deborah Gordon, a First Amendment attorney in Bloomfield Hills, said the U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled that public school districts can host religious groups and give them the same kind of access they give other groups.

Yet the promotional flyer posted on the district's Facebook page is concerning, Gordon said.

"I don’t think there is anything illegal about using the school building itself, but it doesn't sound like the school district should be advertising or promoting this event," Gordon said. "It’s a website that goes to families directly. It's questionable, but I don't think it rises to a constitutional violation."

But the lawyer said she understands parents' concerns and thinks they should speak up and get answers to their questions.

"All you can do is make your voice heard," Gordon said.

Banasik, who advises hundreds of school board across the state for the Michigan Association of School Boards, said social media does play a huge role in student mental health, which he said is being illustrated through a class action lawsuit against several social media companies by the nation's largest school district, New York City.

Asked about the use of the word "soul" in the promotional materials, he said the word alone would not create a constitutional violation.

"Even if it did have religious content, I’m not sure it would cross the line. It is a completely voluntary event," Banasik said. "We know a school district can't coerce students into being part of a religious activity or practice."

After a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld the right of a public school football coach to offer a prayer on the 50-yard line after a game, Bansik said it's hard to know where the line is now with the First Amendment's Establishment Clause.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Washington  filed  a Supreme Court amicus brief in the case ,  arguing that the football coach’s prayers, which he delivered while on duty, are not protected by the Free Speech Clause and that the school district had a constitutional duty to stop his practice because it violated the separation of church and state. 

"We are just waiting for cases to develop and case law on this," Banasik said. "It’s a difficult test the court has put into our hands."

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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