The St. Sergius Church in Livny was built on the Tim River in the middle of the 16th century by Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich. It has become a magnificent gift for all Orthodox Christians. It was originally a monastery. Consider this Orthodox building in more detail.
Temple today
Now the territory of the Sergius Church complex in Livny is decorated with two churches and a bell tower. The construction of the central temple is equipped with two thrones, consecrated in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin and Sergius of Radonezh.
Seraphim of Sarov became the patron of the second temple. Near this religious monument flows the Pine River, there is a place of a holy spring and a font. The address of this temple: the city of Livny, Oryol region, Sergey Bulgakov Square, house 15.
Historical facts
The walls of the St. Sergius Church in Livny endured the raids of the Zaporizhzhya Cossacks, complete burnout in the fire. This explains the peculiarity that the most ancient buildings are not preserved today. After the fiery element, they decided to build stone walls and a highfence.
The monastery arose before the temple. It was brutally plundered by Hetman Sahaidachny and his Cossacks. The monastery goods became their profit.
Thanks to the efforts of caring citizens, the new temple building was saved from destruction at the beginning of the 18th century.
At this time, Archimandrite Alexy (Shcheglov), an outstanding abbot, very popular among the people, was appointed rector of the monastery. He rebuilt the temple, updated its decoration. During his reign, the erection of the monastery stone fence, the expansion of the aisle of Sergius of Radonezh, the construction of the monastery mill, the installation of a striking clock on top of the bell tower were completed.
Achievements of Rector Alexy
Rector Alexy, a great lover of books and just an inquisitive person, set up a "Russian school" within the walls of the monastery, which was attended by children of representatives of the clergy and townspeople. The duration of training ranged from five to seven years.
Boys in this school were taught to read, write, count, sing church songs, paint icons.
At the end of their studies, the students had the opportunity to become church deacons or get a job as a merchant clerk, a petty official.
The abbot had a great gift to bring love to everyone around him. Also, this man was very generous and therefore tirelessly engaged in the reconstruction of the temple. At the same time, Alexy was distinguished by a meek disposition.
After the death of Alexy, a legend arose about his grave, which has survived to this day thanks to the records in 1915 of the priest VasilyPoniatowski.
Worldly absent-mindedness, disbelief and insensitivity, writes Fr. Vasily in his "History of the Livenskaya Cave" - coldness and petrification of the heart did not give place for due attention to the monastery tomb … They built an ordinary house in this place, and turned the tomb into a cellar so as not to spend money on digging. It must have been demolished, the former tombstones, similar to the one that miraculously remained in the fence of the St. Sergius Church on the grave of Archimandrite Alexy. That night, when it (the stone) was transferred to the threshold of a house, the owner of this house had such a terrible vision that he immediately returned the stone to its original place in the morning.
This stone can still be seen today at the burial site of Rector Alexy Shcheglov, who has become a worthy example of human originality.
Later, when excavations were carried out around the temple, a buried, non-decayed body was discovered, on which the priestly vestments were preserved.
An extraordinary event
The middle of the 19th century was marked by a remarkable event that happened in Livny. Sergius temple, it provided a special popularity. By that time, his activities were abolished.
So, the famous Sergius Cave appeared in Livny. Later, a chapel was erected on top. The cave was discovered by the merchant Tyupin under his own house. Notable events followed. Voices were heard from under the ground, the ghost of a monk visited the inhabitants. From his lips, the household learned about the ancient monastic burials, which are located in the cellar of the merchant. After the dissemination of such information to Livnycrowds of tourists and pilgrims flowed. Sergius Church in Livny soon acquired a chapel built next to it. Especially for its visitors.
St. Sergius Church in Livny occupies a section of the historical center of the city. This is the most important part of its architecture and history. The ancient building adorns the coastal panorama in a magnificent way.
The schedule of services in St. Sergius Church (Livny) is as follows:
- Confession and Liturgy - 08:30.
- Evening service starts at 18:00.
Wonderful architectural complex - St. Sergius Monastery welcomes visitors. Its doors are open daily.
The Orthodox city kindly welcomes tourists and invites you to immerse yourself in the cozy atmosphere of an ancient memorial of Orthodoxy. There is peace and kindness here. Visit the St. Sergius Church in Livny, and your soul will become surprisingly light and easy, as if you have returned to childhood again.
