Nevsky forest park: Church of the Intercession - a phoenix of ancient Russian wooden architecture

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

The Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos (Nevsky Forest Park, Leningrad Region) is subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church. This is an example of wooden architecture that adorns the Bogoslovka Manor park complex. The original Church of the Intercession, which was located in the village of Anhimovo, was lost in a fire in 1963.

Today it has been restored with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II and with the support of the authorities, rising like a phoenix from the ashes.

The history of the construction of the temple of the XVIII century

Folk legend says that in 1708 Emperor Peter I himself created a sketch of the future temple that adorned the Nevsky Forest Park. The Intercession Church owes its appearance to a we althy peasant named Plotnikov, whose son fell out of favor with the Sovereign and was executed.

Left without an heir, Plotnikov decided to spend his fortune on the charitable work of building a temple, which he asked the graciousemperor's permission. Peter I, having not previously heeded his pleas for the pardon of his son, condescended to the requests for the construction of the church.

Having secured permission to build a temple, a we althy peasant allegedly immediately received from the hands of the emperor a sketch drawn by the highest person with his own hand, according to which a monument of Russian wooden architecture, an attraction of the modern park complex Nevsky Forest Park, was created. The Church of the Intercession was the pearl of the Onega land of northwestern Russia for hundreds of years, until it burned down in 1963 due to criminal negligence.

The history of the revival of the Intercession Church in the XXI century

The original measurement drawings of 1956, which were used for the reconstruction of a unique monument of Russian wooden architecture, were compiled by the outstanding restorer of our time, scientist A. V. Opolovnikov. The best cutters in Russia worked on the manufacture of the walls and domes of the cathedral.

After the consecration of the worship cross, installed in 2003, the Vsevolozhsky district of the Leningrad region again finds the opportunity to revive an amazing example of Russian architectural art.

In the autumn of 2004, a solemn prayer service marked the beginning of the construction of the temple. At the same time, the first pile was driven at the construction site, and in winter, workers began pouring the foundation. The surviving stones from the burnt church were laid in its foundation.

Then, in 2004, near Petrozavodsk, work began on logging, as well as the manufacture of wooden walls, after whichIn 2005, the log cabin of the temple was moved to the Nevsky Forest Park. Intercession Church at the same time received domes, plowshares and walls of the bell tower. A year later, the dome of the church was decorated with a cross.

On October 14, 2006, a small, and exactly two years later - a great consecration of the cathedral, performed by Metropolitan Vladimir of St. Petersburg and Ladoga, took place.

With the restoration of the Church of the Intercession, the Vsevolozhsky District of the Leningrad Region returned another unique exhibit to the storage of its architectural monuments.

Exterior of the Cathedral

Many churches in the Leningrad region are built in the shape of a cross. The nineteen-meter tall Intercession Church was no exception. It has as many as 25 chapters, its width is 30 meters, and its length is 2 meters more.

The main room of the temple is located in the central octagon. On each side of the world, altars (priruba) adjoin it. The main one, according to ancient tradition, is located from the east and has five sides, like the other two cuts, which serve as side altars and are located from the south and north of the main one.

In the west, a tent ring adjoins the octagon, which serves as an entrance to the temple. Twenty-two windows provide the maximum natural light possible at this latitude during the daytime.

In the basement there are premises for organizing the work of the Sunday school and the refectory.

Temple Shrines

Altar Gospel - the most important element of worship and decoration of every Orthodox church - the church received back in 2003year.

The relic was made according to the Decree of Peter I and is almost the same age as the restored architectural monument that adorns the Nevsky forest park today. The Church of the Intercession received as a gift copies of unique icons: the temple icon (Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos), the Mother of God (Azov), the Savior (Zvenigorod), as well as a cross made according to the model of the oldest cross on Solovki.

How to visit the Cathedral

The park complex is waiting for pilgrims and tourists to visit the temple, popularly called the Intercession Church (Nevsky Forest Park). How to get to the complex on your own?

From the St. Petersburg metro station "Lomonosovskaya" to the Nevsky forest park there is public transport (№476, №К-476).

Opening hours

The Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church must obey all churches, including the Church of the Intercession (Nevsky Forest Park). The opening hours of the cathedral are determined by the annual circle of services.

Morning services are traditionally held at 9 o'clock. All-night vigils are served the night before at 5 pm. Sightseeing of the complex is possible daily from 9 am to 7 pm.

When visiting the temple, pilgrims and tourists should not forget about etiquette. The traditional church dress code for women includes a headscarf and a skirt that covers the knees. Men enter the temple without a headdress. Too open and provocative clothing is considered inappropriate.

A visit to the park complex and a wooden Russian church will allow you to learn more about the culture and spiritual traditions of our country.