The soul of any Christian reaches for a holy place. The temples of Chelyabinsk are known to the Orthodox throughout Russia. They become places of pilgrimage, where thousands of parishioners from the region and from all over the country aspire. Many monasteries are being restored and restored, some of them have been rebuilt.
The most famous church in the city
The Russian Holy Trinity Church is located in the center of Chelyabinsk between the shopping center of the city and the circus. Initially, the parish was called Nikolskaya Church and was built of wood. Until 1768, he was in a different place, at the intersection of Sibirskaya and Bolshaya streets. Then the building acquired a new location, because the Nativity Cathedral was erected next to the previous one. At that moment, when the St. Nicholas Church moved, it received a new name and became known as the Trinity. By the end of 1799, her flock numbered about five thousand parishioners.
It was at this time that the local merchant Arkhipov began to rebuild the wooden church in stone. In 1913 the Holy Trinity Church (Chelyabinsk) was revived anew. It was created instrictly in accordance with the architectural requirements that applied to the construction of cathedrals. In 1914, the territory was consecrated, after which the temple began to fully operate until 1919. It turned out to be unique in its own way, even its layout resembles Noah's Ark, and the pseudo-Russian style only enhances the beneficial impression.
The life of the monastery during the Soviet era
During the reign of the Bolsheviks, the temple was closed and used for the household needs of the city. The institutions of Chelyabinsk were located within its walls. The last was the local history museum, which was located in the building until 1990. After that, the monastery again returned to the bosom of the Orthodox Church.
It is worth noting that the aforementioned Cathedral of the Nativity could not resist and was completely destroyed. Thanks to this sad event, the Holy Trinity Church (Chelyabinsk) began to be considered the largest city monastery. There are still legends about it, as if it was erected for the tercentenary of the Romanov dynasty. At the moment, restoration work is underway inside the temple, during which it is planned to completely restore the painting created in the Vasnetsov style.
Holy Trinity Church (Chelyabinsk) has unique acoustics. It is she who gives the singing of the choir a stereo effect. At the time when Orthodox hymns are going on, performances of Sunday and church choirs, voices are carried over the vaults so that they can be perfectly heard from anywhere. All works sound without instrumental accompaniment.
In the temple areparticles of the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Great Martyr Tryphon, Apostle Andrew the Primordial, healer Panteleimon. Another relic is kept especially carefully - the icon of the Mother of God of the Sign. Shrines are considered not just valuable, but healing.
Modern history
Holy Trinity Church (Chelyabinsk) regularly hosts reliquaries with holy relics that reach the city thanks to the efforts of representatives of the local diocese. Not so long ago, the Divine Liturgy was held in the church, dedicated to the centenary of its consecration. Many events related to Orthodoxy take place in the monastery. The photo below (Holy Trinity Church) shows a building that amazes with its simple but deep beauty, which has survived to this day. Reviews of tourists who saw it with their own eyes fully confirm this.
Abode of Sergius of Radonezh
Unlike the Holy Trinity Church, this church is a small building. The Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh (Chelyabinsk) is also named after St. Catherine, who in Orthodoxy is considered a great martyr.
The parish began to be built relatively recently, in 1999. Initially, it was a surprisingly beautiful small monastery, but over the following years there was constant work to expand it. Now all parishioners can visit the neighboring building, which is also a temple.
According to the project, it is planned to erect a large cathedral, which, according to the plan, will have to consist of the following parts:
- Existing temple-chapel.
- Economichull with workshops and autonomous life support systems.
- The two-level church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, in which the laying stone has already been consecrated, a solid foundation has been laid, the walls are being erected.
- Administrative building. It will house Sunday school classes, a sisterhood of mercy, other office space and a library. The building will be erected after the completion of the main construction.
At the entrance to the temple there is a small church shop where parishioners can purchase icons, candles, sign up for baptism or order prayers. On Orthodox holidays, on great days for the church, believers can receive holy water. Tourist reviews speak of a special goodness that visits everyone who comes here.
The main icon of the temple is the image of Sergius of Radonezh. People offer their prayers to her with requests to protect children from academic failures and bad influences.
Church of Basil the Great
The Temple of Basil the Great (Chelyabinsk) was erected in a cozy city park by architect Kuzmin. Initially, the church was founded in 1996 and was listed in the plan as a cruciform structure, with three apses and a developed western part. Now the main volume is occupied by an eight-slope roof topped with a large dome. The domes of the church are made of stainless steel, they are coated with a special coating made of titanium nitride. At the belfry there is a small porch of the main entrance.
Temple Shrines
The most significantthe decoration in the temple are icons. Almost all the images were painted by Russian icon painters in Greece, including the icons “Our Lady of the Three Hands” (1910), “Healer Panteleimon” (1908), “Two Saints”, “Savior in the Crown of Thorns” (early 20th century). The church presents a real historical relic - the image of the "Apparition of the Mother of God on Pyukhtitskaya Hill." It was embroidered with beads by the last nun of the Odigitrievsky monastery. Also in the church decoration are items made using non-traditional techniques. For example, the icon "Nicholas the Wonderworker", typed from the Ural gems, images embroidered with a cross, carved crucifixes with stands in the form of a Calvary of gems. Twelve icons have arks with the relics of saints.
Memory of Chelyabinsk residents
The place on which the temple was erected is memorable for city dwellers, especially tractor builders. During the war, tank soldiers were escorted to the front here (near the factory entrance). The memory of this has not been erased. Therefore, a monument to Russian soldiers was erected on the territory. It was created in the traditions of ancient Russian architecture and is a granite stele erected in the form of a candle, topped with a bronze dome, on a marble drum. The crown is decorated with an Orthodox cross. It should be noted that the dome is presented in the form of a helmet of an ancient Russian knight. The column is framed with a laurel crown, which symbolizes victory. Also on the territory of the temple was erected a summer chapel for the blessing of water, where prayers are served in the warm season. The temples of Chelyabinsk, photos of which are presented below, are known foroutside the area.
A few words about the Odigitrievsky monastery
The monastery left a significant mark on the history of the city, its churches have always been distinguished by their picturesque decoration and we alth. The monastery was respected in Chelyabinsk, its ascetic activity was noted by Emperor Nicholas the First.
The monastery got its name in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Hodegetria", which is also called a guide. The monastery owned two churches - Voznesensky and Odigitrievsky, as well as several small churches located on the outskirts.
The founder was a simple girl who from a modest women's community was able to create a full-fledged monastery. In the first years of its existence, the sisters were engaged in dressing flax, weaving, needlework, and went to the fields to earn money.
Over time, the well-being of the monastery only grew. Soon a spiritual school was opened there. Holy relics began to be found in churches, which at that time were solemnly received by the townspeople. This monastery was until the end of the Civil War.
During the years of Soviet power, the nuns were arrested and imprisoned for about six months. After that, the sisters were able to free themselves and register as a religious community in accordance with the law of that time. The monastery itself was devastated and became a haven for various institutions.
Church addresses
Temples of Chelyabinsk, the addresses of which are presented below, are available for visiting on any day from 7.00 to 19.00:
- Holy Trinity Church - Kirov Street,60-A.
- Temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh - Victory Avenue, 398.
- Temple of Basil the Great - Lenin Avenue, 6.
Conclusion
Churches of Chelyabinsk always open their doors to their parishioners. Moreover, within the walls of the monasteries, the suffering and the poor can find shelter and lodging for the night. A great God-pleasing work is going on within the walls of the churches, filling the souls of the Orthodox with joy.
