The Holy Trinity Church in Arkhangelsk is one of the oldest church buildings that has survived to this day in a satisfactory condition. It is a monument of history and architecture, which is protected by the state. This essay will tell about the Holy Trinity Church in Arkhangelsk, its history, features and interesting facts.
The History of the Church
The history of the construction of the Holy Trinity Church in Arkhangelsk is closely connected with the creation of a sea bastion in Russia. Peter the Great in early 1701 issued a decree on the construction of a fortress on Brevennik Island, at the mouth of the Northern Dvina River. In June of the same year, its laying took place, the fortress was given the name "Novodvinskaya".
After the construction was completed, the Haidutsky and Streltsy regiments were placed in the fortress. Some time later, the forces of the soldiers built two wooden churches - Epiphany and Trinity.
BIn 1716, the main part of the fortress garrison, together with the Haidutsky and Streltsy regiments, moved to the right bank of the Kuznechikha River, near the village of the same name. Together with everything necessary, the garrison took with them two churches, having previously dismantled them. At the new location they were reassembled and consecrated at the beginning of June 1717.
Building a temple
Time did not spare the wooden churches, and they are quite dilapidated. In this regard, at the general regimental meeting, it was decided to dismantle the old temples and build a new, stone one.
As all the necessary materials and funds were prepared, in June 1745 the command turned to Archbishop Barsanuphius to receive a "blessed charter" for the construction of a new church. After receiving the diploma, the construction of a new stone church began, which was completed in a little over two years.
First of all, they consecrated the chapel in the name of the Archangel Michael, who is the patron of all the military. The main throne was created in honor of the Epiphany, and in September 1764 the Holy Trinity Church in Arkhangelsk was consecrated. Later, the chapel was consecrated in honor of John the Baptist.
In fact, the new stone church was the successor of the first two churches built of wood - Epiphany and Trinity. The new temple was like two churches in one building. on the first floor it was winter (warm), and on the second floor it was summer.
The Church in the 18th and 19th centuries
The temple began to be called the Trinity Kuznechevskaya Church - at the location andLife-giving - by the name of the main throne, located on the second floor. Until 1810, the temple was under the jurisdiction of the battalion commander, but later it passed into the diocesan department, while only the military were parishioners.
For a long time various military relics were carefully kept in the church - the regimental banners of Peter the Great. One of them, which belonged to the Kholmogory Streltsy Regiment, is currently located in the local history museum of Arkhangelsk. The church also kept a variety of church items.
In early June 1761, a stone bell tower was laid with donations from well-known people in the state, as well as at the expense of the garrison military, which had three tiers. It connected with the main building of the church above the entrance to the second floor.
Soviet times
Services have been held in the Holy Trinity Church in Arkhangelsk for two centuries. It is not known exactly when the last service was held. However, in February 1930, it became known that the Presidium of the Northern Regional Executive Committee decided that the Holy Trinity Church should be converted into a hostel and other public needs.
Six years later, a driver training school was placed in the church building along with the hostel. Later it was used by a soap and shoe shop, and in 1952 it was transferred to a stone-cutting factory for reconstruction.
In Soviet times, all church utensils and material values were lost, and also disappeared without a trace andinterior decoration. At the time when N. S. Khrushchev was in power, the dome, drum and bell tower were dismantled from the building of the Holy Trinity Church in Arkhangelsk. As a result, the church, which originally had a height of 38 m, was barely 20 meters high.
Rebirth
In 1992, the revival of the Holy Trinity Church began - after it was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Arkhangelsk diocese. Two years later, a new rector appeared in the church - Father Alexei (Denisov).
From this period, regular services begin to be held in the church, and a year later, all-night vigils on Sunday. Thanks to the rector and the people who voluntarily helped him, liturgical and spiritual life was fully restored in the church.
In addition, repair and restoration work was carried out. A new domed drum, a bell tower and heads in the form of onions with edges were installed. The church was re-roofed and its outer walls painted white. In the photo of the Holy Trinity Church in Arkhangelsk you can see its transformation.
Temple now
In early May 2014, all restoration work was completed. The interior decoration is made of white limestone, which was mined at the Inkerman and Myachkovskoye deposits. The iconostasis, throne, icon cases, as well as the barriers of the kliros have a magnificent, graceful stone carving, which amazes with its amazing beauty.
The vaults, walls and floor of the temple also have a snow-white color. With arched windowsand properly placed lighting, the church is filled with an extraordinary glow, which highlights the white, polished limestone. The color makes the room visually appear larger than it actually is.
In addition to icons, the church contains Orthodox shrines - these are particles of the relics of the Matrona of Moscow, the Great Martyr Barbara and others. An interesting fact is that in this church there were repeated myrrh-streaming of various icons. It began after Lent in 2000. And the most unusual thing is that the myrrh-streaming icons were not painted with paints, but are printing reproductions, which are then pasted onto a wooden board. That is, skeptical critics of myrrh-streaming could not argue for the appearance of oil and myrrh on the icons by the peculiarities of paints, wood and temperature differences in the church.
Charity canteen
Holy Trinity Church in Arkhangelsk is known for its canteen, where all those in need are fed completely free of charge. It is open daily (except Sunday) from 12:00. Persons under the influence of alcohol are not allowed into the dining room. In addition to hot lunches, every day fresh bread is distributed to those in need. 12 volunteers are constantly working at the canteen. It exists at the expense of donations from caring people, and part of the funds is allocated by the temple.
The church has a Sunday school, which opened in November 1995. At that time, three teachers taught there, teaching 15 children. Today the Sunday school has 80 students and a staff of eightteachers.
Schedule of Divine Services of Holy Trinity Church in Arkhangelsk
Services in the church are held at 8-30, 17-00 and 18-00. There is a detailed schedule, but it changes due to the main Orthodox, as well as patronal holidays. Address of the Holy Trinity Church: Arkhangelsk, st. Komsomolskaya d. 1.
This church is one of the most beloved by the locals. On holidays, you can see a huge number of believers here. If you come to Arkhangelsk, then you should definitely visit this extraordinarily beautiful temple.
