Temple of Simeon the Stylite beyond the Yauza: location, history of construction, photos and reviews

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

The Church of St. Simeon the Stylite beyond the Yauza is an Orthodox church located in the Tagansky district of Moscow. It has beautiful architecture, a long and interesting history. The article will tell about the temple of Simeon the Stylite beyond the Yauza, its features and history.

History

The Temple of Simeon the Stylite beyond Yauza was built in 1600 by decree of Boris Godunov. As you know, he ascended the throne on September 1, 1598, on the day when they remember Simeon the Stylite. According to some historians, it was for this reason that the king ordered the construction of a church in his honor. Initially, it was built of wood, but according to the Scribal Book, the Simeonovsky temple was mentioned as a stone one already at the end of the 17th century.

In 1731, the rebuilding of the church began at the expense of donors, but before that, the holy father Peter Nikonov turned on behalf of the parishioners to Empress Anna Ioannovna for permission to start work. After receiving it, according to the records that have been preserved in the archive of the temple, in November of the same year the chapel was consecrated in the name of St. Nicholas. Twoconsecrated the main altar of the temple of Simeon the Stylite beyond the Yauza.

New construction

In 1752, a significant event took place in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church - the relics of St. Dmitry Rostovsky. After his canonization, pilgrims from all over the country rushed to the relics. Thrones began to be built in churches in his honor, and in the temples where the relics of the saint were present, more and more believers became every day. In Moscow, in honor of Dmitry Rostov, at that time more than 12 thrones were consecrated. In the temple of Simeon the Stylite beyond the Yauza, after receiving the incorruptible relics of the saint, it was decided to make a throne in his honor.

In 1763, the cloth manufacturer A. I. Malinkov allocates an impressive amount for a new refectory with two aisles. The philanthropist also sponsored the construction of a new bell tower. The architect I. M. Nazarov became the author of the refectory project. Construction was completed in 1768, the aisles were consecrated in honor of Dmitry of Rostov and St. Nicholas. However, the construction of the bell tower was postponed for unknown reasons.

Temple in the 18th century

In 1785, a church fence and gates were erected along the perimeter. It is noteworthy that they have survived to this day. Four years later, the construction of a new bell tower is being completed, the funds for which were allocated by A. I. Malinkov.

By the end of the 18th century, the church with the main chapel located in it was quite dilapidated, and the question arose of repairing it. The rector of the temple, Nikolai Fedorov, petitioned Metropolitan Platon forchurch reconstruction. Some time later, the Church founding letter was received along with the Metropolitan's blessing.

In 1792, large industrialists I. R. Batashev and S. P. Vasiliev, who were parishioners of the church, allocated the necessary funds for the reconstruction of the church of St. Simeon the Stylite beyond the Yauza. With great changes after this alteration, the church has survived to the present day.

Building a new temple

Master masons, invited from Suzdal, quickly built a new church. The project of the temple provided for its construction in the form of a rotunda, which had a powerful and high dome. The height of the dome was supposed to correspond to the height of the pillar, on which, according to legend, Simeon the Stylite spent 37 years.

However, the construction technology was violated, and almost immediately the erected temple collapsed, while the refectory was badly damaged. I. R. Batashev and other parishioners again collected the necessary amount for the construction of the church, but now the parish ceded a plot of its land, on which the manufacturer later built a huge house. By the end of the century, the temple was completed, but its decoration stretched for a long 10 years.

New destruction

After the completion of the finishing work in the church, the Patriotic War of 1812 broke out. They did not have time to consecrate the temple, since Moscow was occupied by the Napoleonic army. The church suffered greatly from the atrocities of the French and the fire.

After the victory over the Napoleonic troops, the ministers of the church of Simeon the Stylite beyond the Yauzareturned to the ashes. All the wooden buildings burned down, and the recently completed beautiful temple turned into a burnt stone skeleton.

However, by the end of 1813, with the help of parishioners and donors, the main church was repaired and supplied with church utensils. The restoration of the rest of the aisles lasted until 1820 due to their large size, and also due to the fact that they were almost completely destroyed. At the end of 1820, the Dmitrievsky chapel was restored and consecrated.

Restoration of the temple complex

Until the middle of the 19th century, capital works were not carried out in the church, however, it was decorated, including a new iconostasis was made for the main chapel.

In 1852, cracks appeared in the ceiling of one of the aisles, and an inspection showed that the load-bearing beams had rotted due to their age. It was decided - in a short time to carry out all repairs in order to avoid further destruction. Two years later, all the work was completed and the consecration took place.

In 1863, the history of the church of Simeon the Stylite was enriched by a good event. Merchants O. Tyulaev and G. Voronin presented the temple with a new bell weighing 418 pounds. For its installation, the walls of the bell tower had to be strengthened.

Until the end of the 19th century, work on the decoration, rebuilding and decoration of the temple continued. As a result, the church was built in the classical style. A high and voluminous rotunda towered above the main quadrangle, which had porticos. The domed part was decorated with lucarnes (round windows). The top was crowned with a thin, graceful drum with a small cupola.

The Church in the 20th and 21st centuries

In the mid-20s of the 20th century, there was a possibility of closing the temple. Because of this, Archpriest N. Benevolensky, being the rector of the church, transferred the main shrines (the image of St. Simeon the Stylite, the icon of St. Dmitry of Rostov and a particle of his relics) to the Intercession Church, which was nearby. In 1929 the Simeonovsky temple was closed. In the Church of the Intercession, where the shrines were transferred, a side throne was consecrated in the name of Simeon the Stylite.

The premises of the Simeonovsky temple were rebuilt and reequipped. The building was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Moscow Institute for Advanced Studies. In 1965, the City School of Personnel Management under the Moscow City Executive Committee was located within its walls.

In 1995, divine services were resumed in the church of Simeon the Stylite, and the church itself was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church. In a solemn and festive atmosphere, all its shrines returned here, and its gradual restoration began. Currently, the church has a school of church choral singing, a Sunday school, a restoration and icon painting workshop, and a publishing house.

Church of Simeon the Stylite: reviews

According to the parishioners who visited the Simeon Church, this is an unusual place filled with a bright aura that attracts and encourages to come here again and again.

Local residents and guests of the capital note that the Simeonovskaya Church stands out against the background of other churches in Moscow. It cannot be confused with any other. The style of solemn classicism is its unique architectural feature.

According to the reviews of those who have ever visited the Simeonovsky temple, this is one of those many places in Moscow that you should definitely visit. Here you will learn about its complex and interesting history, as well as be able to admire its beautiful interior and exterior decoration. The photo of the Church of Simeon the Stylite shows its exoticism in comparison with traditional Russian temple architecture. In addition to aesthetic beauty, you can feel the benevolent energy of this place, which attracts thousands of parishioners.