The Church of Simeon the Stylite on Povarskaya has an unusual history. It can be called a special blessing that this temple was not damaged during the laying of the New Arbat. Moreover, the architects decided to make an architectural accent on this building. The building succinctly stands out from the general ensemble.
The Church of Simeon the Stylite is famous for the fact that many famous personalities, people from the creative intelligentsia and even Count Sheremetyev were married within its walls. Nikolai Gogol was very fond of coming to this temple, especially in the last years of his life.
The history of the construction of the temple on Povarskaya
The construction of the church dates back to 1676. In 1625, a small wooden temple was located on the site of the modern building. Some sources mention it as the Church of the Entry into the Temple of the Mother of God, which was located at the Arbat Gate. Previously, about 500 people (cooks, bakers, tableclothers) lived in this area. For this reason, the local streets are called Povarskaya,Khlebny, Table lanes. The royal cooks had several temples. Previously, Povarskaya Street was a road at all, along which goods were transported and the royal nobility moved.
Church after the revolution
The revolution practically did not interfere with temple activities. For a while, services were held in the church. Later, the building of the temple was transferred to Raypromtrest, which decided to place workshops for the deaf and dumb there. At one time, the church housed a kerosene shop.
Name
The church got its name thanks to Boris Godunov, whose wedding day just fell on the celebration of St. Simeon the Stylite. There is a possibility that Godunov himself ordered the construction of a wooden temple in this place as a memory of his wedding.
Description
The end of the 17th century was marked by the fact that a brick church began to be built on the site of a small wooden church. The temple building is not very big. There is a refectory, a belfry, several aisles with separate altars. The aisles were lit in the name of Saints Simeon the Stylite and Nicholas the Wonderworker, the last of which was later consecrated in the name of Dmitry of Rostov in 1759. The main throne is Vvedensky. The refectory, to which the aisles adjoin, was initially low, then it was raised and extended. She seems to be hugging the lower tier of the belfry.
Interior decoration
The Church of Simeon the Stylite has a simple decoration, but at the same time it looks quite elegant. The main volume is decorated with kokoshniks, an openwork tent,patterned drums, arched openings of small windows.
In 1966 the temple was restored. As a result, longline coverage had to be made simpler and more practical.
After the revolution, the temple of Simeon the Stylite had to be closed. The building was to be demolished. Part of the building was demolished. So the church stood dilapidated until a decision was made to build the Moscow highway. At first, they wanted to demolish the church altogether, since it did not fit into most modern buildings. But the public still managed to save her.
After restoration in 1968, the church was transferred to the All-Russian Society for the Protection of Nature. Exhibitions of representatives of the animal world were held within its walls. Soon the building turned into a kind of barn. The interior was completely destroyed. But, fortunately, it ended quickly. Later, the temple began to hold exhibitions of works of art.
In 1992, the church was once again owned by the faithful, who restored its lost beauty. The temple to this day receives parishioners and holds services.
Temple of Simeon the Stylite in Ustyug
In honor of St. Simeon the Stylite, another church was consecrated - in Veliky Ustyug. Previously, two wooden temple buildings stood in its place.
In 1728, the construction of the lower floor of the modern church was completed. Later, storage tents and several aisles were installed. In 1757 there was a fire, during which the temple was badly burned. It had to be almost completely rebuilt. At the same time, it was decided to build a bell towernext to the temple. In front of the main facade there is a terrace, which can be reached by an open staircase. The Church of Simeon the Stylite (Great Ustyug) looks very solemn. Not just because it is considered the most decorated temple in the area.
Exterior and interior decoration
On the ground floor there is a warm church, consecrated by the name of Simeon the Stylite. Its chapel was consecrated in the name of Jacob Alfeev, the holy apostle. The second floor is occupied by the cold Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with consecrated aisles in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and Prince Vladimir.
The interior of the temple dates back to 1765. The main room is luxuriously decorated with stucco. Simeon the Stylite Church is famous for one of the most amazing iconostasis of the 18th century. One of the icons of this temple is today in the Tretyakov Gallery. The image of Simeon the Stylite was painted in the second half of the 16th century.
In 1771, a local craftsman cast a 154 pood bell for the temple.
The church had to be closed in 1930. The iconostasis was partially dismantled, the bells were dropped. Since 1960, the temple has been under state protection as a cultural monument and cultural heritage site.
Today the Church of Simeon the Stylite (Ustyug) is active. Already in 2001, the first prayer service sounded within its walls.
