The Church of the Most Merciful Savior in Nizhny Novgorod is a real example of the Old Russian style in architecture. It is often referred to as the center of local Christianity and religious folk heritage, as well as a popular destination for sightseeing tours.
The history of the construction of the temple
The reason for its construction was an event in the life of the Romanov family. In 1888, there was a railway accident - a train derailed, in which the royal family followed. However, during the crash, none of the highest persons were injured - Emperor Alexander III managed to keep the roof of the car, which fell on the family. The miraculous salvation was due to the fact that the emperor had with him the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands.
Churches and chapels began to be built throughout Russia. The Nizhny Novgorod Church of the Savior has become one of them.
The construction of the Church of the Most Merciful Savior in Nizhny Novgorod began nine years after the disaster, as soon as local financiers and industrialists collectedconstruction funds.
The place was chosen at the intersection of Ostrozhnaya and Spasskaya (now Trudovaya) streets. At that time it was the outskirts of Novgorod, which did not have its own parish.
18 drawings from various architects were submitted to the competition, among which the project of the eminent academician and architect A. Kochetov won. The temple, now located in the Ostankino district of Moscow, was taken as a model.
In June 1899, on the outskirts of Nizhny Novgorod, a solemn laying of the Spassky Church took place. With the ceremonies required for such an event, the foundation stone of the building was laid. The names of Nizhny Novgorod residents directly connected with the construction of the church were marked on it. This slab is now in the foundation of the Church of the Savior.
The construction lasted four years and was carried out under the strict supervision of the academician of architecture V. Zeidler.
In historical documents, there are records that an unknown Nizhny Novgorod bell was donated to the temple, which weighed 54 pounds. The rest of the bells were cast in Yaroslavl. Before the revolution, 8 bells sounded on the bell tower of the church.
The temple was consecrated in 1903. By this time, Emperor Alexander III was no longer alive. Over the next ten years, the painting of the temple took place, which was carried out by the best city masters based on the paintings of great painters.
Architecture and interior design
The Church in the name of the Most Merciful Savior in Nizhny Novgorod is made in the pseudo-Russian style, but in a more accurate imitation of the ancient samples of the 17th century. ForThe façade was finished using a special hewn brick produced at that time.
The church has five domes and a hipped bell tower. The décor appears to be made of white limestone, although it is actually simple plaster.
The murals inside the temple were created from cardboard works by I. Repin, V. Vasnetsov, N. Koshelev for the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Kyiv Cathedral in Vladimir. First, the drawing was applied with charcoal or pencil, and then paints were used. This method of painting was used in fresco painting. These cardboards were as valuable as the paintings of the great artists themselves.
Shrines
Icons are especially revered in the temple:
- "The Savior Not Made by Hands".
- "The Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos".
- "Paraskeva Fridays".
An Orthodox cross from Jerusalem is kept in the Church of the Most Merciful Savior in Nizhny Novgorod.
There are also particles of the relics of Seraphim of Sarov, Sergius of Radonezh, Barlaam the Wonderworker and other saints.
Temple in Soviet times
After the revolution of 1917, divine services continued in the Church of the Savior for some time. Until 1934, there was even a bishop's chair here.
Priests had to live in the basement of the building with their families.
With the strengthening of anti-religious sentiments in the 1930s, the temple was repeatedly tried to be closed, but each time the parishioners managed to defend it. True, part of the building was used by the authoritiesunder the warehouse of a garment factory.
In 1937, the Church of the Most Merciful Savior in Nizhny Novgorod was still closed, and its clergy were arrested.
In subsequent years, the authorities planned to rebuild the temple premises for the state philharmonic, but by a lucky chance this did not happen. Only the interiors have been changed.
During the war, despite the fact that the city was repeatedly bombed by the Nazis, the Church of the Savior was not damaged.
In the post-war period, residents of the city repeatedly appealed to the authorities with a request to allow worship in the temple, but each time they were denied this. Only in 1991 the Church of the Most Merciful Savior in Nizhny Novgorod was returned to believers.
Spasskaya Church today
The first service after the revival of the temple was held in 1992. It was fully consecrated in 2003. The Church of the Most Merciful Savior is currently operating according to the usual schedule for Orthodox organizations.
The temple owes its revival to a city resident M. S. Mikhailova, who, together with a group of like-minded people, prepared a package of documents necessary for the opening of the church.
The altar and the iconostasis were completely renovated. The main part of the interior decoration is the result of the work of modern masters, because almost nothing has survived from the real interior in the temple.
Since 1997, a Sunday school for children and adults has been created at the church. Its goal is the churching of children and their spiritual upbringing. Classes are held herethe study of the Bible, the history of Orthodoxy, the Church Slavonic language, choir singing and Orthodox etiquette. Needlework lessons are held for girls.
A summer camp operates at the temple and pilgrimage trips to the shrines of Russia and neighboring countries are organized.
For kids, learning is carried out in a playful way. They are engaged in modeling, painting and singing.
Educational lectures for adults are held every Saturday. Parishioners not only study, but also participate together in pilgrimage and festive events, and provide all possible assistance at the temple.
Church of the Most Merciful Savior in Nizhny Novgorod: service schedule
The temple is open daily:
- 6:00 - Early Divine Liturgy (held every Sunday and holidays).
- 8:30 - morning service on weekdays.
- 17:00 - evening service.
Every Friday at 16:30 a water-blessed prayer service with an akathist to the holy martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa.
On Sundays at 15:00 reading of the akathist to the icon of the Mother of God "The Sign".
On holidays, the schedule of services of the Church of the Most Merciful Savior in Nizhny Novgorod is compiled additionally, depending on the planned events.
Where is it
Address of the temple: Nizhny Novgorod, st. M. Gorky, house 177a.
The current phone number can be found on the official website of the temple. Also on the site you can find the news of the parish and ask the priest a question.
You can get to the Church of the Savior by tram number 2,by bus No. 28, fixed-route taxi No. 83, 17. You should get off at the stop “st. Poltava.
