The Church of St. Pimen on Novoslobodskaya is an Orthodox church located in the Tverskoy district of Moscow. It belongs to one of the oldest places of worship in the city, with a rich historical past. It is in the department of the Iberian deanery.
History
In the XIV-XV centuries, the closed settlement of Moscow collars was located near the walls of the Kremlin. Their settlement lay along Tverskaya Street. The collars were a military detachment, whose task was to guard the fortress gates of the city, locking them at night, keeping the key to them and protecting them from enemy attacks.
With the development and settlement of the central part of Moscow in 1568, they were relocated to the outskirts of the city in the village of Sushchevo. Thus, Novaya Vorotnikovskaya Sloboda was formed, where on the banks of a picturesque pond, the new settlers erected a wooden church in the name of the Trinity, which became the main chapel in honor of Pimen the Great.
In 1691 the old church burned down. And in 1696, the construction of a stone church began, which almost exactly repeated the Trinity Church already existing at the old place of residence of the collars (now notexisting).
Description of the temple
The Church of Pimen on Novoslobodskaya was made in the Baroque style, in the style of "octagon on a quadrangle", topped with a narrow drum with a small cupola. A bell tower adjoined the building from the west.
In the XVIII century, St. Petersburg became the capital of the Russian Empire, Moscow collars became unclaimed and found themselves in the position of ordinary citizens. The most practical Slobozhans took up trade.
Gradually, the settlement of collars began to consist of inhabitants of various classes - burghers, merchants, military, employees and working people. According to historical data, in 1722 the parish consisted of 170 households. Due to the large number of parishioners, the Pimenovsky temple required expansion.
In the period from 1760 to 1770, the refectory was enlarged and a new bell tower was built. In 1796, the construction of the northern limit began, which was consecrated in 1807 in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Virgin.
After some time, the territory of the temple was surrounded by a fundamental fence, which repeated the general baroque style of the church. This fence has been preserved in its original form to this day. On the north side of the church building was an Orthodox churchyard.
Further improvement
By the end of the 19th century, the Pimen Church on Novoslobodskaya had an even larger parish and again needed to be expanded. The renovation and enlargement of the building was carried out according to the designs of the architect D. Gushchin.
In 1882 the limits were lengthened,the altar apses were rebuilt, the murals were updated, decor elements in the Baroque and eclectic styles were added.
After 10 years, the restructuring of the Pimenovskaya church was continued. The work was carried out at the expense of philanthropists and parishioners. In 1893, the temple building was increased in length. To do this, it was necessary to fill up the pond. The bell tower was modified and a porch was added.
It was then that the Pimen Church on Novoslobodskaya acquired the appearance that has been preserved to this day. Its length is 45 m, and its width is 27 m. The total area of the temple is 600 sq. m. m, which allows you to accommodate 4 thousand people at the same time.
Interior decoration
In 1897, the renovation of the interior of the temple began. For samples, it was decided to take sketches of the painting of the Vladimir Cathedral in Kyiv, made in the Russian-Byzantine style. The decoration of the premises in the church was carried out according to the project of the architect F. Shekhtel in the Moscow Art Nouveau style.
For 10 years of work, a group of craftsmen created one of the most unique temple interiors made in Moscow in the 19th-20th centuries. It was distinguished by extraordinary grandeur and harmony and has been preserved unchanged to this day.
All 3 iconostasis were combined into a single ensemble, made of white marble in the Byzantine style. Its graceful carving reproduces spiritual symbolism. The bronze Royal Doors are in perfect harmony with the white stone and demonstrate the altar painting behind them.
A majestic image of the Mother of God hovers above the iconostasis, as if walking towards the cloudscoming to the temple. Under the arches of the church there are 18 biblical compositions, and on the walls - 120 full-length icon-painting images of saints who served the Lord.
Shrines and icons of the Pimen Church on Novoslobodskaya:
- Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (late 7th century).
- Tikhvin icon (1695).
- Vladimir icon (mid-8th century).
- Image of Nicholas the Wonderworker (XVII century).
- The Icon of the Savior (XVIII century).
- Image of Pimen the Great (XVIII century).
The consecration of the renovated temple was carried out gradually, as the work was completed.
Soviet times
The October Revolution destroyed the Orthodox way of life of the Russian people. But the schedule of divine services of Pimen's church on Novoslobodskaya remained the same. Although the temple was threatened twice.
In the spring of 1922, the most valuable interior items were removed from the church and the bells were removed. Until 1936, the temple was a stronghold of Orthodoxy. Orthodox believers flocked here from all the churches closed by the Soviet authorities.
In 1937, the Pimenovsky Church was captured by the Renovationists and returned to the Russian Orthodox Church only in 1946. Despite attempts by the Communists to suppress the revival of religion by imposing excessive taxes on existing churches, the Pimen Church on Novoslobodskaya managed to maintain its original appearance and resist.
During the Soviet period, thanks to the efforts of the clergy, repair and construction work was constantly carried out in the temple. The floor and roof were repaired, equippedheating, gilded domes, electricity to the belfry.
Current State
Today the temple welcomes its parishioners in a new decoration. His building is again plastered and painted. Old icons are being restored, murals are being updated.
The temple grounds are being ennobled with great love. An external consecration has been installed, thanks to which the church gives a festive impression at any time.
The life of the parish is filled with various ministries. Sunday school training, catechism work, divine services, beautification of the temple, works of mercy are held here…
Pimen Church on Novoslobodskaya: opening hours
The doors of the temple are open to everyone every day. You can visit the church from 7:00 am to 19:00 pm. During major holidays, changes in opening hours are possible.
The schedule of services in the church of St. Pimen on Novoslobodskaya on weekdays is as follows:
- 8:00 - liturgy.
- 17:00 - Vespers.
Holidays and Sundays:
- 7:00 - early liturgy.
- 9:30 - Late Liturgy.
- 17:00 - Vigil.
Every Friday at 17:00 - reading of the Akathist to the Mother of God. Sunday at 17:00 - reading of the akathist to St. Pimen. Baptism, funeral service and other services are performed as needed.
Address
The Pimenovsky temple is located in Moscow at the address: Novoslobodskaya metro station, Novovorotnikovsky lane, building 3, building 1.
The current phone number of the church can be found on the official website of the organization.
