In Russia, more than 100 ancient shrines have been preserved, which are called the "Temple of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos." This name was given to them in honor of the Orthodox holiday of the same name.
Through the pages of historical chronicles
One of the very first churches near Moscow that has survived to this day was built in 1807, then in the village of Akulovo, which is now called Odintsovo (Moscow Region). Before that, there was a wooden church and a refectory, which, judging by the mentions in the annals, was built in 1676 by the owner of the village of Akulovo, Alexander Khitrovo.
In 1692, a nunnery was placed in it, where the mother of Peter I, Natalia Naryshkina, became a benefactor.
In 1719 the temple was assigned to the Moscow Spiritual Consistory.
In 1791, he went to Varvara Razumovskaya (Sheremetyeva), who bought it along with the village. Razumovskaya took an active part in the arrangement of many churches, and thanks to her, a daily service began in the temple.
In 1812in the year the Akulovsky temple was almost completely destroyed in the battles with Napoleon: only church utensils survived from it, which Razumovskaya kept at home.
Temple near Medvedkovo (former village of Medvedkovo)
Another extant church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos is located in Medvedkovo. In the nineteenth century, a bell tower was built on its territory, and then a Sunday school building for children.
The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God in Medvedkovo is a unique architectural monument. Today's children attend Sunday classes with great pleasure at this school under the guidance of the friendly Valentina Kopasova, who personally meets each child and communicates with parents.
Schools and clubs for children at the church in Medvedkovo
Children study icon painting, God's law, church history. And for their creative development, there are circles at the school where they can learn how to weave lace, make crafts from straw and sew undershirts for baby christening.
In the place where now stands the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in Medvedkovo, there used to be a wooden church. By order of Dmitry Pozharsky, it was demolished, and in its place Dmitry ordered the construction of a pilgrimage to perpetuate the victory over the Polish invasion of Moscow and his own name.
The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God in Medvedkovo is also unique in that it is the only surviving one-tent building. In 1652, Patriarch Nikon forbade the construction of churches that violatedchurch rank.
The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God in Medvedkovo was built in 1634 on the banks of the Yauza River. On April 20, 1642, Prince Dmitry Pozharsky died, and exactly ten years after the death of the church, a letter was issued for the consecration of the throne in the name of the nine martyrs of Kiziches, whose veneration was a rare occurrence in Russia.
Medvedkovo is far from the only Moscow church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. Moscow is rich in historical churches dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and they are located in many areas.
New temple near Yasenevo, Moscow
With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow in Yasenevo, the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos was built with the money of parishioners in five years. Unlike the previous one-tented one, this one differs in that it was built according to the cross-domed type. Light enters the building through narrow high windows that are located around the entire perimeter of the cruciform structure.
The fact that this church is dedicated to the Mother of God is indicated by the stars on the four blue domes. Inside the temple is beautifully decorated with mosaics. Its capacity is 800 people (total area - 1420 square meters). Mosaic decoration is a laborious and expensive process, therefore the Yasenevsky temple is considered a rare cultural monument, of which there are not so many in the country. A chapel is being built on its territory in honor of the prayer for the cup.
On the ground floor is providedSunday school and church shop. One of the features of the temple is that it has space for a collection of copies of the greatest Christian shrines. Everyone who does not have the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to the New Jerusalem Istra Monastery will be able to come to Yasenevo and bow to the great Christian shrines. The temple is located on Aivazovsky Street, right behind the Hanoi cinema.
Temple in Saratov, which has survived to this day
In Russia there is another church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos with an interesting history. Saratov, it is in this beautiful city on the Volga that a unique temple built in 1883 is located. After 12 years, a bell tower was completed next to it.
In 1912, the church's budget was about 6,000 rubles, and besides, it also had its own farm in the Saratov region, which needed to be maintained, but there was not enough money for everything.
What happened to the church in Saratov
After 1917, the maintenance of the Saratov church completely fell on the shoulders of ordinary believers - church parishioners. Unfortunately, their money did not save the temple: the Saratov authorities decided to close it and use the building as a hostel for students. A kindergarten is located in the bell tower.
In the 1930s, the building of the bell tower was destroyed, and the temple was handed over to artists for workshops, who worked there until 1992, until it was returned to the church again.
Archpriest Vasily Strelkov and parishioners restored the Saratov church, and already in April 1992 the firstservice.
Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God (photo from USA)
The Orthodox parish church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not only in Russia and the CIS, but also in Catholic New York.
The prayer service is very small, built of wood, and looks like a Russian village church.
