In 1556, the pious inhabitants of Vologda had a great joy: the path from Moscow to Vyatka ran through their city of one of the most revered icons in Russia - the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, popularly called Velikoretsky, since the place of its acquisition in 1383 became the bank of the Great River. The history of one of the most famous Vologda temples today is connected with this shrine.
The icon that visited Vologda
The miraculous image was delivered to the capital a year earlier by order of Ivan the Terrible for renewal and writing a copy from it. The return journey of the shrine ran through a number of cities, including Vologda, where she was given a solemn meeting, after which the local icon painter created her list. The copy, like the original, was not slow to become famous for miracles.
The townspeople immortalized the memory of such a significant event by erecting a church in honor of St. Nicholas. In 1869 it was re-consecrated and afterrenaming became known as the Temple of Alexander Nevsky in Vologda. The reason for preferring the Russian saint to the Miracle Worker of Myra will be discussed below.
Church on Limestone Hill
It is known that until the end of the 18th century the church, which was the predecessor of the church of Prince Alexander Nevsky now existing in Vologda, was wooden and once even changed its location. This happened in 1612, when, according to archival records, it was dismantled and transferred from the Old Market - the square near the Ilyinsky Monastery - to the territory of the Kremlin. The new "place of registration" of the Vologda shrine was called "Izvest", and later - "Lime Mountain". Researchers believe that it owes such an unusual name to the reserves of this material stored there during the construction of the Kremlin towers and walls.
In historical documents compiled earlier than the end of the 18th century, there is very little mention of the church of Alexander Nevsky located in Vologda. There is only a description relating to 1627, which indicates that, in terms of its architectural features, it belonged to the so-called Klet wooden churches. Their distinguishing feature was their great height, which created the illusion of monumentality of the structure with a relatively small internal volume of the room. That is, the calculation of their creators was reduced solely to creating an external effect.
Another surviving document speaks of a terrible fire that completely destroyed the wooden predecessor of the future temple of AlexanderNevsky. Vologda, like other Russian cities of that era, often fell victim to fiery disasters, one of which befell it in 1698 and caused the death of St. Nicholas Church, and with it many other buildings.
Changing fate of the temple
What prevented the quick restoration of the temple is unknown. It is likely that the reason was the most common - lack of funds. But by 1782 they were found, and the building, which burned down almost a century ago, was revived already in stone. After the next two decades, the main throne was re-consecrated, this time in honor of the Image of the Lord Not Made by Hands. Accordingly, the name of the temple itself has changed. Its interior was heated, and divine services, held all year round, gathered a large number of parishioners, which ensured an influx of funds into the church fund.
However, this picture changed in the 20s of the 19th century, after the area in which the temple was located was given over to administrative buildings. Many of its inhabitants dispersed, the number of parishioners decreased, and at the same time, cash receipts also fell significantly. In 1826, the situation became so complicated that, by order of the diocesan leadership, the church of Alexander Nevsky located in Vologda (it was then called the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands) was declared non-parish and assigned to the city cathedral. His few parishioners also began to be fed there.
Temple in honor of the heavenly patronAlexandra II
The beginning of a new page in the history of the temple was the events associated with the attempt on the life of Emperor Alexander II, committed on April 4, 1866 by the People's Volunteer terrorist Dmitry Karakozov. Waiting for the sovereign to exit the gates of the Summer Garden, he fired at him with a pistol, but missed. The failure that befell the attacker was publicly announced by God's mercy, granting the monarch deliverance from death.
The clergy performed thanksgiving prayers, and officials at all levels climbed out of their skin, competing in the expression of loyal feelings. It was then that it was decided to dedicate the church on Izvestkovaya Gora to the heavenly patron of the saved sovereign - the holy noble prince Alexander Nevsky. The temple in Vologda once again changed its name and, since the reason for this was purely political in nature, acquired a special status.
In the shadow of the double-headed eagle
The city authorities immediately found funds for its repair and reconstruction, which at the same time were carried out with due diligence. The decoration and layout of the interior has changed in many ways, and the old hipped bell tower was demolished and a new one was erected in its place - a spire-shaped one, on the model of which the one that adorns the temple building today was created.
In 1910, the church of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky (Vologda) was transferred to the military department. This happened due to the fact that the infantry regiment of the same name was transferred to the city, which then distinguished itself in the battles of the First World War. From this time untilwhen the Bolsheviks came to power, it was the only Vologda regimental church.
Under the yoke of Soviet power
The tragic events that swept the country in 1917 and became the beginning of the persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church did not bypass Vologda either. The Church of Alexander Nevsky for the first seven years was under constant pressure from the authorities, and then was completely closed.
The property in it was partially nationalized, and the rest was simply plundered. The building itself for many years passed from balance to balance of various state organizations. There was a time when a factory dormitory was located in it, then a warehouse, a ski base and even the city film distribution department. With the outbreak of war, it was handed over to one of the military units that equipped it with a barracks.
As a result of this misuse of the temple building, significant damage was caused to it. In particular, the bell tower was completely destroyed and the domed cross, which was of great artistic value, was destroyed. The appearance of all its interior spaces has changed beyond recognition.
Revival of the shrine
Some insight from the authorities came only in 1978. Then the mutilated and desecrated temple was recognized as an architectural monument and by the order of the city executive committee it was placed under state protection. A year later, it was restored and given to the local history museum. The complete transfer of the religious building to the Russian Orthodox Church became possibleonly in 1997, when, in the wake of perestroika, the government's policy towards religion changed dramatically.
The current state and schedule of services of the Alexander Nevsky Church in Vologda
Today the Vologda Church of St. Alexander Nevsky, located at: st. Sergei Orlov, 10, occupies a worthy place among other spiritual centers of the city. Under the leadership of its rector, Archpriest Father Georgy (Zaretsky), the members of the clergy conduct extensive work with the parishioners, aimed at their nourishment and catechesis. Children are also not left without attention, for whom a Sunday school and a number of circles are open in it. Numerous charitable events, regularly held jointly with representatives of other temples of Vologda, should also be noted.
Schedule of services held in the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky: on weekdays, Divine Liturgy is served at 7:00, and evening services begin at 17:00. On Sundays and holidays, the temple opens its doors at 8:00 for morning services and at 17:00 for evening services. While attending divine services held in the temple, parishioners have the opportunity to bow to its main shrines, including: the famous Vologda Icon of the Mother of God, the image of St. Nicholas with his life, as well as particles of the relics of the blessed Blessed Matrona of Moscow.
