Like Moscow, the Temple of the Nine Martyrs of Kiziche has a rich, eventful history. He survived the heyday and decline, we alth and plunder. In 1992, the temple was finally returned to the bosom of the Church. Since then, he has become a stepfather's home for many, not a single important event takes place without him, such as: a wedding or christening, a funeral service or a prayer addressed to God.
Founder
The Church of the Nine Martyrs of Kiziche in Moscow appeared thanks to the efforts of the High Hierarch Adrian. He was the last patriarch who strictly adhered to the old church order and was an ardent opponent of the reforms carried out by Tsar Peter I.
The future Primate Adrian in 1685 was appointed Metropolitan of Sviyazhsk and Kazan. At that time, a severe epidemic raged in the city, which the inhabitants called fever. He knew that 33 years ago, pestilence had already visited Kazan. The infection literally devastated the city, takinglives of about 40 thousand people.
Metropolitan Adrian, upon his arrival in Kazan, immediately vowed to God that if the epidemic ends, then in honor of this event he will build a monastery and dedicate it to the Nine Martyrs of Kizic, as they cured of terrible diseases. Metropolitan Adrian was deeply religious and diligent in prayers, so the next morning miraculously the epidemic stopped. To fulfill his vow, he founded the Kizichesky monastery near Kazan. Later, Metropolitan Adrian received the rank of Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. In the future, he continued to honor the martyrs who saved the city from misfortune.
Construction
Once Patriarch Adrian was near death - he was paralyzed. He again turned to the Nine Martyrs with a request for help and made a vow to God that if he recovered, he would build a temple of the Nine Martyrs of Kiziches in Moscow. The Lord healed him - the patriarch rose from his deathbed.
The place where the temple of the Nine Holy Martyrs of Kiziches will stand was determined almost immediately. By decree of Peter I, the land near the Novinsky Monastery was given to Patriarch Adrian.
From the very beginning, the temple was wooden. Its construction ended in 1698. It was erected in honor of Saints Fawmasius, Magnus, Theostichus, Rufus, Philemon, Antipater, Artem, Theodotos and Theognis.
After 34 years, the priest of this church, Mikhail Timofeev, filed a petition, and he was allowed to build on the site where the wooden church of the Nine Martyrs of Kiziche was erected, a stonebuilding. By decree, with the blessing of the Holy Synod, money was allocated for the construction of a new church.
In 1735, with the financial support of the Moscow merchant Andrei Semenov, a new church and a chapel of the Archangel Michael were built.
Pre-revolutionary life
In 1838, two we althy Muscovites Nerskaya and Chilishcheva donated funds for the construction of a new refectory, where the second chapel, the Great Martyr Barbara, was consecrated. After 6 years, the construction of a three-tiered bell tower was completed. At the end of the 19th century, the temple had 8 bells, the largest of which weighed 315 pounds.
In 1900, the parishioners raised funds and installed heating in the church. In the same year, the three-tiered iconostasis was covered with gilding, and the then-famous artist Pashkov skillfully painted the walls with magnificent ornaments and picturesque biblical scenes. After 3 years, the newly built three-story building was consecrated and placed in it an almshouse and the Devyatinsky parochial school.
Post-revolutionary period
As you know, after the revolution, all the churches were looted or destroyed, and the clergy were severely persecuted. The temple of the Nine Martyrs of Kiziches was no exception. In the spring of 1922, church property was confiscated - all silver and gold utensils were taken away, and in September 1929, all historical and artistic objects of value to museum workers were seized from the temple. The main large icon of the Nine Martyrs was transferred by parishioners to the Church of JohnForerunners on Presnya. From there, she was returned only in February 2004.
Modernity
The events that took place in October 1993 left their marks on the facade of the bell tower of the temple. The fact is that the church itself is located not far from the city hall and the White House, so it fell into the shelling zone - the facade of the building was badly damaged, but in 1994, the Divine Liturgy was held in the church for the first time in many years.
In the Devyatinsky Church, partial restoration work is underway to this day. The paintings of the 19th century are already open for public viewing. Some of them miraculously survived, and some of the images were updated so skillfully that they completely fit into the general decoration of the temple. Now the Devyatinsky temple has a completed look. For everyone who wants to see it or take part in worship, its doors are always open. Address of the Church of the Nine Martyrs of Kiziche: Moscow, Bolshoy Devyatinsky Lane, 15.
