In 1355 he introduced rules for monastic life in the community, which required the construction of specialized buildings - refectory, kitchen, bakery, etc. This resulted in a well defined layout being adopted, with the monks cells arranged around a rectangular open space with the church and refectory in its centre. The whole complex, with its outbuildings, was enclosed within a wooden palisade.
Sergius achieved great prestige as the spiritual adviser of Dmitri Donskoi, Great Prince of Moscow. Despite Dmitri 1 s decisive defeat of the Tatars at the battle of Kulikovo in 1380, however, Tatar raids continued for another century, and in 1408 the Monastery was destroyed by fire. It was quickly rebuilt on its earlier plan by Nikon, Sergius 1 s successor, with Royal support. The new church, again built in wood, was consecrated in 1412.