Nikitskaya Church in Volgograd is the oldest religious place in the city. The church was built at the end of the eighteenth century. There is controversy about the exact timing of the construction work. Scientists attribute the construction of the church to 1794-1795. Currently, a large number of believers come to the Orthodox Church of Volgograd every day.
Temple History
Nikita Church in Volgograd was built at the expense of Beketov Nikita Afanasyevich, who was the Governor-General of Astrakhan. Disputes about the exact date of the construction of the temple are due to the fact that construction work began in 1794, and ended after the death of Beketov in 1795.
The church originally had the shape of a basilica. The building had many windows. It was a bright and cozy temple. The original appearance of the Nikitskaya Church has not survived to our time. The fact is that the temple was rebuilt twice.
In 1867, several rooms were added, after which the church acquired a cruciform shape. And in 1901 the wooden bell tower was replaced with a stone one. In this form, the Nikitskaya Church is at the present time.time.
The temple in its original form accommodated about 600 people. After additional construction work, the number of parishioners has increased.
The history of the temple in the Soviet era
In Soviet times, when all the churches and temples of the country were actively closed and transferred to warehouses, the Nikitskaya Church did not stop its activities. The temple was working at a time when the rest of the city's churches were closed.
Despite the firmness of the clergy of the Nikitskaya Church, the temple was closed in 1940 before the start of the Great Patriotic War. The building has been handed over for public use.
During the war, the Soviet authorities changed their attitude towards churches. In Stalingrad, the St. Nikitsky church was the first to function. Residents of the city received permission to open it in 1943. This event was significant for believers. A year after the end of the Great Patriotic War, a service was held in the Nikitsky Church, which was attended by more than 6,000 people. Even though more than 1,000 people couldn't get in, they remained outside, standing and praying with the others.
In the post-war years, the temple was renovated, new church utensils were purchased. In 1955, restoration work began inside and outside the church. In the same year, a miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos was brought to the temple. In honor of such a joyful event, a solemn meeting was arranged.
The painting of St. Nikitskaya Church was carried out by the following masters: M. Krasilnikov, M. Gubonin, A. Kozlenkov. Several icons were painted depictingSaint Nikita the Confessor.
More than 1 million rubles were spent on restoration work. Financial spending was carefully controlled by government agencies, which prevented unnecessary spending in their opinion.
The temple has been almost completely restored. A new dome and iconostasis were erected, the walls inside and outside were painted. Despite the difficult times, the full control of the state over the churches of believers became more and more. The politics of atheism failed with a bang. Statistical data showed that the number of believers in Volgograd and the Volgograd region is growing every year. In 1980, almost half of the population of the Volgograd region were baptized. On the other hand, the state noted that the treasury was replenished at the expense of churches and temples. After all, people pay money for funerals, baptisms, weddings.
Church life changes
Churches in Volgograd began to revive and take on their splendor only after the collapse of the Soviet Union. St. Nikitskaya Church has become a place for visiting Patriarch of All Russia Alexy. This event happened in 1993.
Sunday schools began to open in Volgograd, including St. Nikitskaya Church in Volgograd. There is also a library in the temple. Church clergy visit schools, universities, hospitals and hospices to bring people to faith.
St. Nikitskaya Church at present
Today the Church on Lavrova inVolgograd is a place where people rest their souls. People come here to baptize children, get married, take communion, gather together and just pray. The church is in good condition. On holidays, a large number of people gather here.
The Rector of St. Nikitsky Church is Archpriest Nikolai Stankov.
Temple hours
Monday: 07.00 - 18.00;
Tuesday: 07.00 - 18.00;
Wednesday: 07.00 - 18.00;
Thursday: 07.00 - 18.00;
Friday: 07.00 - 18.00;
Saturday: 07.00 - 18.00;
Sunday: 07.00 - 18.00.
St. Nikitskaya Church is open seven days a week and a lunch break.
The Church in Volgograd of St. Nikita of the Media is the oldest religious building in the city that has come down to our time. She amazes the parishioners with her beauty. People who have visited the church say that when you enter the church, you begin to feel peace of mind and God's grace. Many parishioners bring their children and grandchildren here. According to believers, understanding and kind priests work here, ready to help at any time.
