The history of the church in honor of the Virgin of Tikhvin began a long time ago, in the 70s of the 16th century. Time passed, generations changed, and the Church of the Tikhvin Icon at VDNKh continued to serve. Even in godless years, his power did not close, we will mention this later. Now let's start our story.
Royal Temple
In fact, the Tikhvin Church (VDNKh, Moscow) is closely associated with Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Previously, in the village of Alekseevsky there was a completely different church, built, as you might guess from the name of the village, in honor of the man of God. For those who do not know what we are talking about, we decipher: the name Alexei is translated like this.
Once Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich took a fancy to the village, deciding to settle here. It is said and done, in vain that the owner of these places did not oppose his decision. The king remained in the village with his son, noble persons went hunting and enjoyed life. And then the ruler decided to build a temple. He ordered in 1673 to lay a church in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos. More precisely, in honor of Her image - "Tikhvin". But the ruler himself, until the completion of the construction of the temple, did notlived, rested soon. For seven whole years, construction was carried out, it was completed only in 1680.
Further events
Here there will be no sentimental story about how the atheists destroyed the temple at VDNKh. Although a lot went to the old building, starting from the time of the war with Napoleon. The French army did not come up with anything better than how to impudently occupy the church. The main temple became a food warehouse, and a stable was made in the refectory.
After the war, Alexander I undertook to restore the desecrated shrine, allocating a huge amount from his personal money. But the temple was ennobled only in 1836. By this time, the Alekseevskaya Church had been dismantled, its bricks were used to build a bell tower in the restored building. In memory of this temple, at the end of the 19th century, a chapel was built in honor of St. Alexei, the man of God.
The 20th century is coming with its bloody atrocities, the authorities everywhere are destroying the houses of God. But they bypass the temple at VDNKh, services were held in it regularly, there was no closure. Although it was not without the intervention of the Soviet authorities: she ruined the church, taking away her jewelry. A vegetable base was set up in the lower church, but for the most part there were divine services, however, without the ringing of bells, so as not to irritate those in power.
The Great Patriotic War affected the monastery in a good way. There is a legend that Stalin ordered to take the miraculous icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God and make an air "procession" around Moscow with it. The order of the leader was carried out, and after a while our army went on the offensive,ended with the defeat of the Germans near the city of Tikhvin.
After the war, the repair of the temple at VDNH began. The rector at that time was Father Vladimir Podobedov, who took up this matter.
It's been almost forty years since the victorious 1945. The 80s are coming, the last Soviet ones. At this time, Archpriest Arkady Tyshchuk, who died in 2012, became rector. The current rector is Archpriest Georgy Gutorov.
Interesting fact
It is known that all his life Patriarch Alexei II served the liturgy in this temple on March 30th. The date is associated with his heavenly patron Alexei - the man of God, in whose honor the late patriarch received his name.
Address
Would you like to visit the old church and bow to the miraculous image of the Tikhvin Mother of God? Then write down the address: Moscow, VDNKh metro station, Prospekt Mira, 130.
The church is located next to the Alekseevsky cemetery, in close proximity to the VDNKh metro station.
Services
Does the temple at VDNKh have a schedule? Like most churches, there is. We will please readers who decide to attend the service with good news. Services are held daily here.
- On weekdays, the morning service starts at 8:00. On Sundays and holidays, two liturgies - early at 7:00 am, late at 10:00 am.
- Evening worship is performed regularly. It starts at 17:00.
Conclusion
The temple at VDNKh is one of the few that have preserved the old spirit. This is very important, the realization of how great this shrine is. More than one generation prayed in the church, she has seen a lot of things in her lifetime. To look into a temple, to touch a piece of the past, to pray where our ancestors once turned to God - isn't that a miracle? Visit the temple in honor of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God.
