In the city of Engels, Saratov region, there is a small church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. It looks very modest, but has a unique history. This simple church is a monument to the faith and courage of the Orthodox inhabitants of the city of the past. After all, the very construction and opening of the church in the era of Khrushchev's struggle against religion is a real feat.
History
The very first small wooden church in Pokrovsk was built in 1770, but soon died in a fire. In its place, in 1781, a single- altar stone church was erected, which was consecrated in honor of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. He gave the city its name - Pokrovskaya Sloboda.
In 1801 the church was expanded, a second parish was added, consecrated in honor of the erection of the Virgin into the temple. By the end of the 19th century, the parish had reached 3,000 people.
After the October Revolution, the temple was closed. According to the plans of the Bolsheviks, it was decided to lay a railway line through the territory of the temple. In this connection, they decided to dismantle the church, andstone to use in the construction of other buildings. A few months later, the city of Pokrovsk itself was renamed Engels. The authorities have repeatedly considered a plan to unite Saratov and Engels, but this project has not been implemented.
In 1954, thanks to numerous petitions from believing residents of the city, the Soviet authorities issued a permit for the restoration of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in Engels.
The original site of the Church of the Intercession was already occupied, so a summer cottage was bought from one of the townspeople, located on Stationnaya Street, not far from Bath Lake.
Building a temple
The parishioners built the new temple on their own. There was no architectural project, so some mistakes were made during the work. Bricks were mined with great difficulty. Someone wrote them out for their own ovens, someone made them at home with their own hands.
We worked only at night, by fires. Despite the permission of the authorities, for participation in the construction could be expelled from work. Ordinary people came to the prayer house and, risking their freedom, helped build the building.
The main building force was older women. Whether there are other churches in Russia built at such a time and in such conditions is not known.
Painting was also carried out by simple local artists, one of whom was A. Lunkov, a student of Jacob Weber. Lunkov's painting is still preserved above one of the doors of the temple.
In the church choir of the Church of the Intercession of the BlessedThe Virgins in Engels were sung by the best voices of the Saratov Opera House and Conservatory: V. Bulankin, N. Pukhalsky, A. Manstein.
Step by step, overcoming many obstacles, the work of ordinary people built God's house, the construction of which lasted almost 40 years.
In 1991, the construction of the Intercession Church was completed with the installation of a large dome and the prayer house received the official status of the temple.
From 2003 to 2013, the facades, roof, dome, windows, doors and iconostasis of the temple were updated.
The current state and activities of the church
In the temple there are particles of the Intercession of the Mother of God, the Manger of the Savior and the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. In the right limit there is an ark with particles of the relics of 8 saints
The image of the Mother of God "The Redeemer" is considered a particularly revered icon of the temple. Every Sunday, a prayer service is served with the reading of an akathist in honor of this icon.
At the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in Engels there is a children's Sunday school, where young parishioners from 4 to 14 years old are accepted.
There is also a children's studio "Chudesenka", where developmental classes for children from 2 to 5 years old are held.
There is a Sunday school for adult parishioners, which is open to everyone. There are many spiritual books in the church library of the temple.
The temple does a lot of social work. Provides charitable assistance to those in need. Citizens who are in a difficult life situation can receive clothes, medicines and food in the church.
Every Saturdaycharity feeding of the homeless and needy parishioners is held.
The Women's Choir of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in Engels is a professional singing group. In addition to liturgical activities, members of the church choir take part in Orthodox events and celebrations.
Service Schedule
For parishioners, the doors of the temple are open daily from 7:00 to 19:00.
Main services are held according to the following schedule:
- Morning Divine Liturgy (on weekdays) - 8:00 a.m.
- Evening Service (on weekdays) - 5:00 pm
Sundays and public holidays:
- Early Liturgy - 7:00 a.m.
- Late Liturgy - 9:00 a.m.
- Evening Service - 5pm
In the temple you can order trebs and purchase various spiritual literature.
Address
The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin in Engels is located at: st. Station, house 4.
The current phone number can be found on the official website of the Intercession Church.
In Engels, you can get to the temple by minibus No. 1 and 25. You need to get off at the Garrison Shop stop.
From Saratov to the Church of the Intercession, you can take buses No. 247, 247A, 284K to the stop "Railway Station".
