One of the unique monuments of old Moscowis the temple of St. Nicholas in Pyzhi. Erected in the 17th century, it became part of our history and witnessed many of its important events. Today, returned to people after long years of atheistic timelessness, he again takes under his vaults all who seek their way to God.
Church in Streletskaya Sloboda
It is known from archive documents thatwhere now is the church of St. Nicholas in Pyzhi, in 1593 the wooden church of the Annunciation of the Lord was founded. It became one of the first to be built in Moscow after the establishment of the patriarchate. Since the Streltsy, headed by M. F. Filosofov, the tsar's steward, settled nearby, they became its first parishioners.
Но судьба военного человека никогда не давала ему linger on the spot. In the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the brave archers and their commander were sent to Kiev to perform guard duty there, and their place was taken by the regiment of the governor Bogdan Pyzhov. Here is his name and was immortalized in the name of a new stone church, founded in 1657 on the site of a wooden church and located next to Pyzhevsky lane.
The construction and decoration of the temple
In 1691, on donations madeStreltsy, was established chapel in the name of St. Nicholas, then gave the name of the whole temple, and the diligence of the former parishioners of the regiment of the steward Philosopher - another, in honor of the Pechersk saints Anthony and Theodosius. The chapel itself was abolished in 1858, but so far the celebration in their honor is made annually and is performed with great solemnity.
In subsequent years, the church of St. Nicholas in Pyzhiunderwent significant restructuring, which in many ways changed its original appearance. According to the memoirs of contemporaries, among other Moscow churches, he stood out for the extraordinary harmony of his outlines.
In the fire of the great war
The trouble befell the church of St. Nicholas in Puzzy in1812 Like many Moscow shrines, it was ravaged and burned by the French. In place of the former splendor there were only blackened walls. After the invaders were expelled, the city and church authorities for a long time could not proceed to its systematic restoration, since neither the Synod nor the parishioners could bear such significant expenses, and the treasury sent all the available funds for the construction of administrative and residential buildings that died in Moscow fire.
Only in 1848 began the restoration of the temple.By this time, it was finally possible to collect the necessary amount, made up of voluntary donations, to which money added from the treasury at the behest of sovereign Nicholas I. A. Lyamina. During all forty years, while the work was being done, he exercised general supervision over them and, not least, helped with the solution of periodically arising financial problems.
Years of total atheism
But the main tests were waiting for the temple ahead, whenThe ensuing twentieth century power in the country seized the God-given government. In 1934, the temple was closed, and many of its priests and parishioners were repressed. Suffice it to say that three of his clerics were subsequently canonized as the new martyrs and confessors of Russia.
Partly Nikolsky temple was lucky that he did notwas destroyed, like so many of his Moscow counterparts, and after internal redevelopment was used for various household needs. The main chapel of the temple was divided into three floors, and in the rooms thus formed, the dormitory of the construction trust was placed first, then the science and technology laboratory, and finally the sewing workshops.
The return of the shrine
In 1990, in the wake of restructuring, among othersMoscow’s shrines were returned to believers and the Church of St. Nicholas in Pyzhi. The service schedule first appeared on its doors after a 56-year hiatus. However, the first six months they were held in the neighborhood with the sewing workshop that continued to work in the main chapel.
During the restoration works were re-createdthe iconostases of both side-churches of the temple destroyed in the thirties. Work on them for eleven years was performed by the Moscow painter I. V. Klimenko. The frescoes of the late 19th century, preserved by the artist A. Sokolov at one time, were also cleared and put in order.
Serious restoration of appearancethe buildings were carried out using old photographs and drawings found in the archives. As a result, already in 1993, the former Church of St. Nicholas (in Pyzhi) appeared before the Muscovites. Photos placed in the article, give an idea of its current appearance.
Again in the service of God and people
Today, when more than a quarter of a century has passed sincereturning to the parishioners of their shrine, fully restored the atmosphere of high spiritual life, which was inherent in the temple at all historical stages. Under the pastoral leadership of the rector of the archpriest Father Alexander (Shargunov), a full circle of services prescribed by the church charter is performed, and much work is being done on the religious enlightenment of parishioners and those who are only going to receive holy baptism. For all, the Church of Saint Nicholas in Puzzy cordially opens its doors. Address: Moscow, st. B. Ordynka, 27a / 8.
Morning services begin at 8:00, and evening at 17:00 (in summer at 18:00). On Sundays and public holidays there are two liturgies: early at 7:00, and later at 10:00. On Wednesdays, evening services are accompanied by the reading of St. Akathist. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
