The Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Bryansk was built in the period from 1739 to 1741. It was erected on the territory of the Resurrection Convent, which is supposed to have existed since the 15th century, but was abolished in 1766. About the Church of the Resurrection in Bryansk, its history, features and architecture will be discussed in this article.
Church History
The Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Bryansk has a rather interesting story that began in the early years of the 18th century. In 1706, a stone church was built here, but by decree of Emperor Peter I, it was dismantled. This was due to the fact that there was a threat of an attack on the city by the Swedish troops of King Charles XII. The temple was dismantled, and the materials used in its construction were used to strengthen the defensive structures. The monastery buildings were converted into barracks and service military facilities of the fortress.
In 1713 a new woodenchurch, several monastic cells and a temple fence were also built. In 1739 it was decided to rebuild the church and build it out of stone. The construction of a new stone church of the Resurrection of Christ (Bryansk) was completed in 1941. The main altar was arranged in the church. It was consecrated in honor of the Resurrection of Christ, and a chapel of the Holy Martyrs Aviv, Samon and Guria was also created.
Temple in the 18th-20th centuries
In early 1766, the monastery of the Resurrection of Christ was abolished. After that, the church becomes a parish. Three years after the closing of the monastery, a bell tower was added to the western side of the refectory, which was rebuilt in 1843. In the same year, a chapel was created in honor of St. Martyr Andrew Stratilates.
In 1922, after the Renovationist schism, the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Bryansk was divided between the Renovationists and the old churchmen. In the late 30s of the 20th century, the church was closed, and its ministers were dissolved, some were arrested. The building of the temple was converted into a consumer services complex. A second floor was built over the refectory part of the church. At the same time, the upper tier of the bell tower, as well as the domes that crowned the temple, were dismantled, and the interior and decoration were lost.
Church Revival
In 1942, the church reopens, despite the occupation of the city by the Nazis. After 43 years, the restoration of the temple began. Soviet architect V. N. Gorodkov together with art historian E. I. Ostrovoy started the restoration of the church, based on the surviving archival documents.
They managed to restore the appearance of the temple, which was created in the 18-19 centuries. The buildings have taken on their original early baroque style, becoming a wonderful decoration of the urban landscape.
The wall painting of the end of the 19th century, which was preserved in the western part of the church, was updated, but without significant icon painting changes. It was done in oil, in soft muted colors.
In 2006, there was a shrine with a particle of the relics of St. Prince Oleg Bryansky in the church, but in mid-2012 they were transferred to the new Trinity Cathedral.
Church architecture
The temple is located on a hill, in the place where the city settlement used to be. It was built of brick and then plastered. The church has a traditional three-part composition, distinguished by a high main volume. Two quadrangles, erected one above the other, are crowned with a head with a pommel.
The church was created in the early baroque style and has a characteristic decorative finish. The quads of the bell tower and the temple itself are of the same height. However, the spire of the belfry slightly exceeds the top of the temple in height. The external architecture looks very concise and neat. There is nothing superfluous in the decoration, everything is strict and at the same time luxurious. In the photo of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Bryansk, you can see all the beauty and harmony of the composition of the structure. The church is rightfully one of the city's popular attractions.
Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Bryansk: service schedule
Service in the church is held daily, according to the schedule. The first one starts at 7:30 and the last one starts at 17:00. However, it should be taken into account that during the main Orthodox holidays, the schedule of services may change.
Address of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ: Bryansk, avenue im. Lenina, 58a. The church is visited daily by a large number of local believers, as well as pilgrims. In addition to the fact that the temple is active and is used for its intended purpose, it is also a monument of history and architecture, which Soviet masters managed to restore.
Today this magnificent building adorns Bryansk, and tourists who come to the city must visit this attraction.
