The Tolg Monastery: Inspiration on the Volga River William Brumfield Historian and architecture expert William Brumfield discovers a gem of Russian monasticism in the Yaroslavl Region. Presentation Tolg Monastery, northwest view from Volga River. From left: Bell tower & NW corner tower; Presentation Cathedral; Church of St. Nicholas over Holy Gate; West Gate. July 26, 1997 William Brumfield On the approach to Yaroslavl, a short distance upriver on the left bank of the Volga is one of Russia’s most venerated monastic institutions, dedicated both to the feast day of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple and to the miraculous Tolg Icon of the Virgin. In the summer of 1910, it was a destination for Russian photographer and chemist Sergei Prokudin-Gorsky during his travels in the region.