See photos and videos of the most beautiful holy ancient Orthodox churches and monasteries in Russia. Russia has always been famous for its ancient Christian culture, churches, temples, and monasteries. Look further at the beauty of the holy places of the Russian land.

The best masters of their craft - architects, builders - have long been involved in the construction of temples and churches in our country. Few things can compare with the scope and grandeur of religious monuments. And it is in Russia that you can find most of the most impressive and amazing churches and temples. At the beginning of Holy Week, we invite you to remember at least a few of them.

BASILI'S CATHEDRAL, MOSCOW

St. Basil's Cathedral, located in the heart of the capital - on Red Square, is recognized not only as the most beautiful temple in Russia, but also one of the most impressive religious monuments in the world, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Built in the mid-16th century by order of Ivan the Terrible, this cathedral with eleven colored domes has become the most recognizable symbol of Moscow. As we all know from the school curriculum, the unknown master who built it was blinded by order of the king, so that he would never again be able to create such a miracle.

SMOLNY CATHEDRAL OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, ST. PETERSBURG

One of the most exquisite architectural masterpieces of St. Petersburg, the Smolny Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ began to be built at the behest of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna.

She planned to meet her old age in the monastery at the temple, but the construction of the cathedral, the original design of which belonged to Rastrelli, lasted almost a hundred years. During this time, the exterior absorbed the features of not only recognizable Elizabethan baroque, but also classicism, and thus turned into a unique and unlike anything else creation of Russian architecture.

Orthodox churches of Russia presentation of photos and videos

ASSUMPTION CATHEDRAL, SMOLENSK

In the center of Smolensk, on a hill above the city, rises the majestic Assumption Cathedral in the Baroque style, erected in honor of the victory over the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Its dimensions are truly impressive: height - 70 meters, length - 56.2 meters and width - 40.5 meters.

The temple was built on the site of another cathedral destroyed during the defense of the city. Its construction lasted more than a hundred years and during the work the project was repeatedly changed and improved - the result exceeded all expectations!

ASSUMPTION CATHEDRAL, OMSK

One of the main attractions of Omsk appeared relatively recently - at the end of the 19th century: then the Assumption Cathedral was built at the expense of the townspeople. In the 30s of the 20th century, by order of the Soviet authorities, the temple was dismantled.

It was restored only 70 years later. And again, money for construction was collected by the whole world - over two years, residents of Omsk donated a total of several tens of millions of rubles for the restoration of the Orthodox shrine.

Znamenskaya CHURCH, DUBROVITSY

The Znamenskaya Church in the village of Dubrovitsy near Moscow stands out strongly from other religious buildings in our country - it was created in the Golitsin Baroque style, which is not widely used. The names of the masters who created the amazing church remained a mystery.

If you believe the legend, Prince Golitsyn invited craftsmen from Italy who completed the order while remaining incognito. The church is made of white stone, representing an equal-ended cross at the base, and is crowned with a dome with a gilded crown.

KAZAN CATHEDRAL, ST. PETERSBURG

The Kazan Cathedral in the Northern capital was built by analogy with St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome - the northern facade of the Empire style building is complemented by an impressive semicircular colonnade of 96 columns 13 meters high.

The temple became not only a religious shrine revered by believers, but also a monument to Russian military glory. In addition, the square in front of the cathedral was often chosen as a place for political and public demonstrations.

TEMPLE OF CHRIST THE SAVIOR, MOSCOW

The Cathedral of Christ the Savior on Volkhonka was built in the 1990s, but is an exact copy of the cathedral that stood on this site in the 19th century and was destroyed under Soviet rule.

By the way, initially the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was supposed to be located on the Sparrow Hills, but due to inept management, its construction stopped for several years. It was given a second life by Emperor Nicholas I, who personally chose the construction site and architectural style (Byzantine) of the new temple.

CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST (FORO TEMPLE), CRIMEA

The amazing church on Red Rock at an altitude of 412 meters above sea level is dedicated to the salvation of the royal family - in 1888, Alexander II with his wife and children miraculously survived a train crash. Having learned about this, local merchant Alexander Kuznetsov asked permission to build a church in honor of this event.

The temple, clearly visible from the sea, has served sailors as a beacon throughout the years of its existence, showing the way during storms or fogs.

Temples of Russia with photographs with names and descriptions

CHURCH OF THE TRANSFORMATION, KIZHI

The small island of Kizhi in Lake Onega is known throughout the world thanks to the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Looking at this structure, it is impossible to believe that it is completely made of wood without a single nail.

According to legend, the temple was built by local carpenter Nestor at the beginning of the 18th century, using one single ax, which he threw into the lake after completing the work so that no one could repeat his success.

NIKOLSKY NAVAL CATHEDRAL, ST. PETERSBURG

Another masterpiece of the Elizabethan Baroque style is St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral in St. Petersburg. It was built in the second half of the 17th century at the request of Prince Mikhail Galitsin. Funds for its construction were provided by the naval department, because the temple was intended to personify the glorious deeds of the Russian fleet. Not far from the cathedral there is a four-tier bell tower, forming a single architectural ensemble with it.

HOLY TRINITY LAVRA OF SERGIUS, SERGIEV POSAD

The Holy Trinity Lavra of Sergius is a unique architectural complex consisting of more than fifty buildings, the construction of which took place from the 14th to the 19th centuries. This is the largest monastery in Russia, whose first abbot was Sergius of Radonezh.

The Lavra survived the Tatar-Mongol invasion, withstood the siege of the Polish-Lithuanian invaders, in Soviet times it was transformed into a historical and architectural museum, but after the collapse of the USSR it returned to its former status.

No matter where we go in our vast country, bell towers and church domes greet us everywhere. Almost each of them has its own special story. Somewhere this is a white stone cathedral of the 12th century, somewhere the incorruptible relics of a saint rest, and somewhere there is a Holy spring with fertile and healing water. But here is a completely new temple, money for the construction of which was collected by the whole world. Let's talk about the most famous shrines of Russia.

The site was created with the goal of conveying to a wide range of readers the beauty and history of Orthodox culture, and is dedicated to the Holy Places in Russia; our web resource is ideal as a guide for a pilgrim.

The entire history of Russia is inextricably linked with Orthodoxy. The Orthodox Church is the cradle of Russian culture, it was the Church that played a huge role in the history of our state, it was the Church that shaped the way of life, traditions, and art.

The most beautiful churches in Russia photos

The most beautiful churches in Russia photographer

We live in an amazing time when throughout Russia, through the efforts of Orthodox devotees, monasteries and churches are being restored and built. Everyone decides for themselves whether to participate in this important and godly work or remain an outside observer.

The Orthodox people have long noticed that those who donate to the temple even in this life receive disproportionately greater rewards from God. In addition, even a small donation can help a person take the path of Salvation.

“Never forget, even in the darkest days of your life, to thank God for everything, He is waiting for this and will send you new blessings and gifts. A person with a grateful heart never lacks for anything.” - Elder Nikolai Pskovozersky.

With the Baptism of Rus', temples and then monasteries began to grow in the vastness of our land. The Christian faith gradually softened morals and fought against the savagery of some pagan rituals and superstitions.
Over time, temples and monasteries became centers for the spread of literacy.

It is impossible to get acquainted with all, even the most outstanding, shrines of Russia within the confines of our website, but the main stages of the development of temple architecture can be traced, how the original Russian architecture, which has no analogues in the world, was created and developed. As the character of the people, time and place determined the originality of architectural monuments, and their construction served as a powerful impetus for the manifestation of the artistic talent of the Russian people.

You will see how the stern appearance of Novgorod churches, similar to warriors crowned with helmets, is replaced by elegant temples covered with stone carvings of Vladimir, warm, almost homely churches of Suzdal, silver domes of wooden churches of the north, etc. And finally, you will see how, as Russia grows in power and wealth, churches appear in the “Naryshkin Baroque” style, the magnificent, elegant, elegant style of the 17th century.

Pictures of Orthodox churches, monasteries and churches in Russia

The veneration of the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos showed the whole world how strong the faith is among the Russian people. However, few people know that in our country there are a large number of miraculous shrines, such as the Life-Giving Cross in the village. Godenovo, the Miraculous Image of the Savior in the Resurrection Cathedral in the city of Tutaev, a Particle of the Robe of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Assumption Cathedral of the Ryazan Kremlin, the Holy relics of the saints of God, Miracle-working and myrrh-streaming icons and many others.

Holiness is the highest value. Everything that has been touched by the Lord, on which His Spirit has been poured out, is holy: the righteous man, the temple, the icon, the sky, the forest, the river, and every ear of corn in the field... All of Russia is holy. But she is holy not because she is sinless.

Rus' is holy because its hopes have always been directed to heaven, to our Lord Jesus Christ, to the Mother of God - the Queen of Heaven, and to the Holy Saints of God, that at all times the people of Holy Rus', sweeping away falsehood, hoped for a life built justly, according to God's

To believe in the future of Russia means to recognize that its soul, its heart are rooted in God, and if there is no God, then what kind of Russia is it then? Only in the subordination of the earthly to the heavenly is the guarantee of future salvation. Only in the connection of the heavenly with the earthly is deliverance from the vulgarity of earthly life.

They fight and argue about what could be a Russian idea today, afraid to answer themselves, what is holiness. In preserving Holy Rus', its ideals, beliefs, its prayerful nature, its icons, churches, its identity, in protecting the “holy earthly city” from the many temptations of this world, in preserving Russian Orthodoxy, perhaps, lies the main meaning of the existence of modern Russia .

Language also plays a huge role. The experience of people living together, which forms traditions. And the factors that determine the cultural self-identification of a people can be listed further. But still, the Orthodox Faith comes first.

Christian religious churches and monasteries in Russia photos and videos

Christian religious churches and monasteries in Russia photos and videos

The Church forms not only external material culture, it first of all forms the internal spiritual culture of the human person, which is based on a moral principle. The Church, of course, created writing, and for many centuries Russian people did not read other books like the Lives of Saints or liturgical books, or patristic works.

Let us imagine what a huge spiritual influence this reading had, this intellectual factor, besides which simply nothing else existed. Some historians argue that Orthodoxy did not play a decisive role.

Then I want to ask: “What played a decisive role?” In the intellectual life of the people, everything was connected precisely with the confession of faith. And here it is very important to understand that the Church, in carrying out its mission, did not specifically sculpt a certain cultural image. She dealt with his soul, the value system in which the person lived, and the moral orientation of the individual.

And, of course, in this area there are no forces equal to the Church that would thus influence the formation of the cultural matrix of our people, which still reproduces a completely specific spiritual and cultural type of person. Unfortunately, as people became secularized, as people moved away from the Faith, the influence of the Orthodox Church weakened. But here's what's great.

Largely generated by Orthodoxy, Russian culture, including literature, music, painting, began to perform the same function, in a slightly different way, which the Russian Orthodox Church performed at the initial stages of the historical development of the Russian people. Therefore, today the issue of interaction between the Church and all layers of our society is on the agenda.

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This monastery is considered one of the most impregnable buildings in the world. Approaching the monastery of St. George the Chozebite in Israel is not so easy. Its construction dates back to the 6th century. A sheer cliff was taken as the basis. In appearance it is a lot like a swallow's nest. Many of its buildings have survived to this day.

Life of George Khozevit

He was born on the island of Cyprus. When his parents died, he decided to travel to holy places. Once in the Khizuite community, he was amazed by its rules and the beauty of these places. It was located between Jerusalem and Jordan. A little later he joined her. After some time, for his rejected service...

There are a large number of different Orthodox churches. There are quite a large number of them in each region. For example, in Volgograd the Kazan Cathedral is considered the main one. It is the center of the Kamyshin and Volgograd diocese. The Kazan Cathedral of Volgograd is named in honor of the icon of the same name.

History of the cathedral

The Kazan Icon began in 1579, when a girl discovered the holy face in the house after a fire. Patriarch Ermogen took her in his arms and carried her in a religious procession throughout the city. After such an act, she began to be considered one of the most revered saints. Holidays in her memory are held twice a year:

• 21 July,
• November 4.

Due to such a busy...

The Yelokhovsky Epiphany Cathedral is considered one of the most important churches for Moscow residents. It is hidden between the high-rise buildings of the city and is little noticed, but if you ask anyone about it, they will definitely tell you not only its history, but also show you its location. Since it is hidden from view, but is in everyone’s soul. The clergy of the Epiphany Cathedral in Elokhov changed several times. This was due both to state policy and to the personal ambitions of each leader of the cathedral. But one thing was always clear: they all stood guard over the interests of their flock. The Epiphany Cathedral is considered the heart of the Orthodox spiritual life of the state.

History of the temple

When visiting the city of Kharkov, do not forget to go to the Annunciation Cathedral of Kharkov. Local residents note that this is one of the most extraordinary churches of the entire Ukrainian Orthodox Church. And those who beg under the walls of the temple claim that if you stay there for a long time, you can hear the whole history of the city.

History of the temple

The first memories of him date back to 1650. Initially it was made of wood and was located in the village of Zalopansky. Local merchants allocated money for its maintenance and expansion, but the architecture of the building at that time was no different from other temples.

Information about the temple ends in 1738. This is due to the fact that the construction...

The Resurrection Military Cathedral in Omsk is a new building erected in 2016 on the site of the first city building made of stone, built in Western European style in the eighteenth century. The new church was built for the city's tercentenary anniversary.

History of the Resurrection Cathedral in Omsk

The Omsk church went down in history thanks to the Russian writer Dostoevsky. The artist Vrubel was baptized in it, and the poet Durov prayed. The temple was erected by Russian craftsmen, brothers Kozma and Ivan Cherepanov.

The structure on the right bank of the Ob River became evidence of Russian defense capability before the raids of nomads in the mid-eighteenth century. The monumental structure signified the development of Siberia and the steppes of Asia. The building was for defensive purposes with thick one and a half...

The Cathedral in the name of Alexander Nevsky is the first building made of stone in the city of Novosibirsk. The construction of the temple was preceded by the historical event of the construction of the railway in Siberia in the nineteenth century.

History of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Many cathedrals named after the great and legendary commander Alexander Nevsky exist in Russia. He became famous not only within Russia; churches were erected in his honor in European countries such as France, Bulgaria, Estonia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

The Novgorod prince won the glory of the winner on the Neva River with the Swedes and Lake Peipus with the German Order of Knighthood. He refused to help the Catholic Church in the fight against the Golden Horde and remained faithful to the Orthodox faith in Rus'. ...

Belgorod has a large number of ancient Cathedrals and temples. But the Transfiguration Cathedral of Belgorod deserves special attention . It has its own history and secrets. Despite its “age,” it attracts more and more parishioners every day. This is not in vain, because it contains many miraculous images.

History of construction

According to historical facts, the temple was first mentioned in the 16th century. As described in the Chronicles, the temple would be rich in various holy faces and other church churches. Many historians are of the opinion that it was built in honor of the victory during the war with Napoleon’s army.

On the site where the temple was first built there used to be...

The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Saratov is an architectural monument of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. This is the oldest building in the city of the Moscow Baroque style. Chronicle information notes the fact that Peter the Great visited the temple. In those days, the temple was surrounded by a forest, and the sovereign went there in the morning.

Story

Saratov was originally built as a fortress at the end of the sixteenth century by Moscow archers. Initially, the church building in Saratov was of wooden construction, which completely burned down at the end of the seventeenth century. There is an assumption that the architect was a serf of Count Golitsyn. In its place, Orthodox Christians decided to build a structure made of stone, which stood without significant losses until the twentieth century.

The elements caused damage to the cathedral...

Sormovsky Transfiguration Cathedral in Nizhny Novgorod is a true decoration of the city and a unique historical landmark. The building with silver domes, white columns and cornices produces powerful and at the same time graceful beauty. Of the hundred years of its existence, the cathedral was not active for more than sixty. The parishioners’ “kopecks” helped bring him back to life, just like before. Now in the mornings the most beautiful church bells can be heard on the streets of Sormovo.

Story

Sormovo at the beginning of the nineteenth century was a small village and was located on the outskirts of the city of Nizhny Novgorod. But the situation changed when separate workshops were combined into a single enterprise in the Sormovo shipbuilding plant in the mid-nineteenth century.

The company employed more than ten...

On the territory of the Russian Federation there are many incredibly beautiful cathedrals that are considered architectural monuments. Particular attention should be paid to the Spassky Old Fair Cathedral in Nizhny Novgorod. It attracts the attention of not only Orthodox believers, but also tourists. When developing its plan, famous architects combined all Russian traditions and the perfection of beauty. Not far from the Cathedral there is a fair, which belongs to the city diocese.

History of the Cathedral

In the 18th century, a local fair was located on the site where the temple is located today. A little later it was moved a little to the place where it remains to this day. At the time when construction work on the construction of special commercial buildings was planned...

Majestic cathedrals decorated with bright domes. Mysterious, large and small churches, cathedrals and temples of Moscow constitute the spiritual wealth of the country. Many of them are of architectural value and are among the city's attractions.

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This architectural creation made of white stone is considered the oldest Orthodox church in Moscow outside the Kremlin. He appeared on the territory of the monastery, the first abbot of whom was Andronika (a student of Sergei of Radonezh) in the 14th century. It has been established that the painting of the cathedral was done by Andrei Rublev and Daniil Cherny. Unfortunately, only isolated sections of ornaments remain from the original frescoes.

Now the restored Cathedral houses the Central Museum named after. Andrei Rublev, church services are taking place. The Museum stores church books, religious attributes, icons, frescoes from various churches in Russia. There is a workshop for the restoration of ancient works, and excursions are held. The entrance ticket price is 300 rubles. adults, 200 rub. children, schoolchildren. The museum is open daily from 11.00 to 18.00. Day off Wednesday. The Cathedral is located at Andreevskaya Square, 10. The easiest way to get there is by metro to the stops Chkalovskaya, Ilyich Square, Rimskaya.

Vysoko – Petrovsky Monastery

The modern architectural ensemble in the form of restored ancient monastery buildings began its activity in 2009. 700 years have passed since the founding of the monastery (in 2015). There are three options for the appearance of an architectural landmark in Moscow. According to the main version, the monastery was conceived by Metropolitan Peter. The wooden church of Peter and Paul was built in 1317. The second assumption is associated with a vision that Ivan Kalita had while hunting in these places and who built the Peter and Paul Church.

The future monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church was formed around it. According to the third version, the emergence of the monastery ensemble is associated with the victory of Dmitry Donskoy in the Battle of Kulikovo. Now on the territory of the monastery there are several famous temples and churches. The monastery ensemble performs the functions of the Patriarchal Metochion. The Orthodox Institute of Russia of the Apostle John the Theologian operates there. There is a courtyard with interesting cathedrals and churches at the address: st. Petrovka, 28/2. You can get to it by metro, reaching the Chekhovskaya or Trubnaya stops.

Novodevichy Convent

Now you can admire the majestic ensemble, created in the 16th-17th centuries and preserved in its original form. Its founder is considered to be Grand Duke Vasily III. The complex of architectural buildings is on the list of world heritage and is protected by UNESCO. It received the name “New” in comparison with the previously built monasteries in Moscow. The miraculous icon of Hodegetria, painted by the Evangelist Luke, was transferred here. The central building of the ensemble is the five-domed Smolensk Cathedral. Here you can see amazing frescoes of the 16th century.

The Novodevichy Convent is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries in the capital. Services are held there and the halls of the Historical Museum are located there. A landmark of the ensemble is the famous Novodevichy cemetery (the old one is on the territory of the complex, the new one is located behind its wall). In terms of importance, it is in second place after burials near the Kremlin wall. The cemetery contains the graves of Chekhov, Levitan, Khrushchev, Yeltsin, and other famous names.

Ensemble address: Novodevichy proezd, 1. You can get there by metro to the Sportivnaya station, by bus routes 64, 132. The entrance ticket costs 300 rubles. Pensioners, schoolchildren, students pay 100 rubles. Open daily from 9.00 to 17.00.

Cathedral of the Archangel

The white, majestic cathedral does not hold regular church services. Only on patronal feast days, on Radunitsa, quiet prayers are heard here. A solemn, mysterious mood fills the entire temple, erected in honor of Archangel Michael. He was considered the conductor of the souls of dead people to the kingdom of eternity, the patrons of the great princes. Russian tsars (from Ivan Kalita to F.M. Romanov) and great princes rest under the arches of the temple.

The first church building appeared on Russian soil in 1333 at the direction of Ivan Kalita. The new tomb was built in 1505 under the leadership of Tsar Ivan III. The Rurikovichs are buried along the walls, the Romanovs in the center of the hall. In the altar part are the bodies of Ivan the Terrible and his sons. There are 54 burials in total.

The temple is located on Cathedral Square, opposite the Annunciation Church. A visit to the attraction is included in all tours of the Kremlin. The architectural ensemble of the square is open for inspection with a single ticket costing 500 rubles. There are benefits for schoolchildren, pensioners, and students. Closed every Thursday.

Blagoveshchensky cathedral

The temple is one of the oldest Orthodox buildings in Moscow. Its construction dates back to the end of the 14th century as a home temple for the royal family. The first wooden church, built by the son of Dmitry Donskoy, was located next to the entrance to the palace where the royal family lived. This explains the ancient name of the cathedral, “The Annunciation in the Entrance.”

Wedding and baptism procedures for members of the royal family took place here. The painting of the temple was carried out by famous masters Prokhor from Gorodets, Andrei Rublev, Feofan the Greek. The stone cathedral, which has survived to this day, appeared 100 years later at the behest of Ivan III. Divine services in the cathedral resumed in 1993. They take place once a year on the Annunciation. Along with it, the ancient custom of releasing birds into the wild on this joyful spring holiday was revived.

The Annunciation Cathedral is located in the southwestern part of the square. You can visit this Moscow landmark with a single entrance ticket, which gives you the opportunity to explore the architectural ensemble of Cathedral Square. The ticket price for adults is 500 rubles. It is better to book tickets in advance. There are benefits for schoolchildren, students, and pensioners. Children under 16 years old are admitted free of charge.

Verkhospassky Cathedral

The elegant cathedral with eleven golden domes is part of the presidential residence. It's difficult to get into. Otherwise they called him Spas behind the golden bars. The fabulous temple, erected under Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, was in ancient times separated from the street by a forged copper fence covered with gold leaf. The cathedral represents the house churches of the tsars and Moscow princes united by a common roof. This is the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands, Catherine, the Resurrection of the Word, Verkhospassky, etc.

A common roof with 11 small chapters appeared in 1680. The entire complex of churches became part of the ensemble of the Grand Kremlin Palace. Separate elements of different churches have been preserved. This is a hammered copper iconostasis, icons on silk, a carved crucifix, and gilded choir stalls. Many elements have been restored to their original form. The cathedral is located on Verkhospasskaya Square. Currently, no services are held there. The temple is closed to public visits during excursions.

Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles

Access to the main square of Moscow is organized through the festive arches of the church built in honor of the Twelve Apostles. It forms a single harmonious ensemble of the Kremlin together with the main temples of the square. The temple was erected much later (1680) along with the creation of the magnificent Patriarchal Chambers, which became an example of the national architecture of ancient Rus'. The ensemble includes two house churches, the World Chamber (cross), royal chambers, and monks' cells. Initially, the cathedral served as the home church of the patriarchs of Rus'.

The holiday honoring the holy apostles of Christ originated in the 4th century. The date for its holding was approved the next day after the celebration in memory of Peter and Paul. Previously, on this site there was a church of the famous Holy Solovetsky Wonderworkers. All that remains of the old temple is the altar. Access to it is closed. The cathedral received its current name in 1580 after reconstruction caused by a fire. The ancient gallery connecting the buildings was reconstructed in 1922.

Now the cathedral houses the Museum of Applied Arts and Life of the 18th Century. In it you can see textile products, books, dishes, weapons, and jewelry created by famous craftsmen. You can visit the Patriarchal Palace and Cathedral along with excursions every day, except Thursdays from 10.00 to 17.00.

Intercession Cathedral (St. Basil's Cathedral)

One cannot help but admire the multi-colored domes of the most beautiful temple in Moscow, which survived the difficult times of Russia. For many centuries the temple has been a decoration of Red Square. The architectural complex of the cathedral includes ten churches or limits. Initially, these were camp wooden churches, erected in honor of victories in the fight against the Kazan Khanate in the campaigns to Vzlobye (now Red Square). In October 1552, the day after the Day of the Most Holy Theotokos, the tsar decided to build a stone church (the Intercession Cathedral) on the site of small churches.

There are several versions about who built the cathedral. Not all the secrets of the unique style, combining elements of Russian architecture with traditions that came from the Renaissance, have been revealed in our time. Healing from many diseases, the relics of St. Basil the Blessed were transferred to the earth near the Intercession Cathedral. In 1588, a ninth church was erected over his grave in the form of an independent cathedral temple. In the cathedral you can see rare icons and frescoes. A bell tower was built on the site of the old belfry.

Address: Red Square, 2. Excursions are held daily from 11.00 to 16.00. The ticket price is 100 rubles.

Kazan Cathedral on Red Square

I can’t even believe that the small, beautiful cathedral, after three centuries of its complex life, was completely destroyed around 1936. The building was completely restored and consecrated in 1993. Its main shrine is the miraculous icon of Our Lady of Kazan. The cathedral became the first operating Orthodox church, revived from the completely lost ancient heritage of the city.

One of the central churches of the capital continued the life given to it in the middle of the 17th century in gratitude to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God for the victory over the Polish-Lithuanian invasion under the leadership of Pozharsky and Minin. Images of the pre-revolutionary painting of the interior of the church have not survived.

Located on the street. Nikolskaya, 3. When traveling by metro, you need to get off at the Teatralnaya, Okhotny Ryad, and Ploshchad Revolyutsii stations. Tourists can get to the cathedral from 8.00 to 16.50 hours. Every day at 8.30. and 16.50 church services are held.

Assumption Cathedral on Cathedral Square

The oldest square of the Kremlin is Cathedral Square. Every meter of its area creates the atmosphere of distant events of antiquity, the times of the lives of kings, and a numerous grand duchy. Among the main architectural pearls of the square is the simple and at the same time majestic Assumption Cathedral. For a long time it was the main Cathedral Church of Russia. The temple was erected by order of Ivan Kalita around 1326. The white stone building of the temple appeared in 1479, and the golden domes were born during the life of Ivan the Terrible around 1547.

The coronations of kings of the 16th and 17th centuries took place in this temple. Chants sounded under the arches of the cathedral during the wedding of royal persons. The burial places of patriarchs and metropolitans of that time were also created here. Since 1955, festive services have been held in the temple. Since 1991, it has been an important element of the Moscow Kremlin State Historical Museum-Reserve. Excursions around the Kremlin with the purchase of a single ticket allow you to see this landmark of Moscow. The ticket price is 500 rubles. There are benefits for schoolchildren, students, and pensioners.

Krutitsky Patriarchal Metochion

This place in Moscow is often called the “island of antiquity” in a modern city. In the distant depths of antiquity, on a steep and steep river bank stood the princely village of Krutitsy. Important trade routes of ancient Russia passed through it, merchants and princes settled. In 1272, a temple was built in the village, and then a monastery. Ancient cobblestone streets, streets with wooden buildings, and flowering trees from the remains of an orchard create a special atmosphere in the courtyard.

The architectural monuments of the Krutitsky courtyard include the small Assumption Cathedral, the temple in the name of Peter and Paul, and the bell tower. The Metropolitan's Chambers, the Holy Gate, their connecting gallery, the Cross Chamber (Church of the Resurrection of the Word). Embankment, Drying Room, Order Chambers. He failed to avoid destruction and robbery. Now, along with traditional church activities, the Synodal Department of the Russian Orthodox Church for Youth Affairs functions in it.

The Krutitsky courtyard is located at the intersection of 1st Krutitsky Lane with Krutitskaya Street in the Tagansky district of the capital. You can visit the restored ensemble on your own or along with organized excursions. Tickets cost 350 rubles.

Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Kolomenskoye

The skyward white-stone temple proudly rises above the Moscow River, the outskirts of the ancient village of Kolomenskoye in the former estate of the Tsar near Moscow. The temple has long been included in the UNESCO lists and is considered a worthy monument of Russian architecture. The architecture of the majestic temple had an unusual shape for the time of its construction in 1530. The site for the construction of the church in honor of the birth of the future Tsar Ivan the Terrible was chosen in accordance with the traditions of Rus', next to a healing underground spring (unfortunately, filled up in 1970), which cures infertility.

There is still a legend about countless treasures, the library of Ivan the Terrible, hidden in the dungeons of the temple. Now the first tented temple, made of brick and stone, is part of the Kolomenskoye museum-reserve complex. There is an exhibition of elements that allow you to learn the history of the temple. It is open for tourists from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00. Church address: Moscow, Andropov Avenue, 39. Easy to get to by metro station. Kolomenskoye. Divine services are held on Sundays, on church holidays.

Church of Clement Pope

The largest temple in Zamoskvorechye, erected in honor of the Apostle Clement, who suffered martyrdom, is considered a monument of federal significance. The Orthodox Church in its original form was a small wooden church. In the middle of the 18th century, a majestic five-domed temple was erected in honor of the new Tsarina Elizabeth Petrovna. The temple is well preserved thanks to the collections of the Russian Library located in it. It contains more than 1.5 million books seized from the libraries of monasteries and churches.

The modern church includes the boundaries of the Neopolima Bush, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Sign of the Mother of God, the Patriarch of Alexandria, Clement of the Pope. A large number of ancient and modern revered icons are kept here. Among them is the Mammal, the icon of Pope Clement. The rich interior decoration of the temple includes a beautiful baroque iconostasis.

Located at st. Pyatnitskaya, 267, next to the Tretyakovskaya metro station.

Ivan the Great belltower

The ringing of bells has been considered holy and powerful throughout all times of the existence of Rus'. All the most important events of the country were announced by the ringing of bells. The symbol of the Mother See was the bell ringing from the bell tower of Ivan the Great. For more than 500 years, the church has harmoniously united all the buildings of Cathedral Square into a single ensemble, towering above it. Initially it was a small wooden church built in honor of St. John Climacus on Borovitsky Hill by order of Ivan Kalita. The Bell Tower of Ivan the Great acquired its modern appearance around 1630.

The church has 22 bronze bells decorated with interesting designs. The heaviest bells “Novgorodsky”, “Bear”, “Swan” are located on the first floor. The most ancient “Nemchin”, “Korsunsky” were cast in the 16th century. Many visitors strive to climb the spiral staircase almost to the very top to enjoy the extraordinary view of Red Square. You can visit the bell tower with a single ticket, which gives you the right to enter the square, or as part of excursions.

Church of All Saints in Vsesvyatsky on Sokol

The history of the appearance of the temple is connected with the life of the ancient village of Vsekhsvyatskoye. It is believed that this happened in 1398, together with the appearance of an ancient monastery and the surrounding village called “the village of the Holy Fathers on the Khodynka River.” A stone church in the village on the site of a monastery (exact information about it has not been preserved) was built in 1683. The existing temple was built in 1736 by the daughter of Prince Miloslavsky. For a long time (until its destruction in 1982) there were many graves of Georgian princes (from the Bagration and Tsitsianov families) in the cemetery near the temple.

Among them is a monument to the father of the famous commander Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration. His location changed frequently. Now it stands next to the “Reconciliation of Nations” memorial and is a historical monument of federal significance. Since 1992, the temple, made in the Baroque style, received the status of a patriarchal courtyard. The church holds daily services. It is located at the address: Leningradsky Prospekt, 73, Sokol metro station.

Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Yasenevo

The temple did not come to the residents of the densely populated Yasenevo district of Moscow from ancient times. It was built at the beginning of the 21st century. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the church on December 4, 2008. The large five-domed temple was built as part of the program of 200 New Temples in the capital. Rich external decoration (in the form of Byzantine mosaics), copies of famous Christian shrines decorate the new temple complex. The copies were created according to the “Icon of the Holy Land” project.

By the way, for the first time such a project was implemented under the leadership of Patriarch Nikon in the New Jerusalem Monastery. The cathedral consists of an upper church, erected in honor of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a monument to those killed in armed conflicts of modern times. Below is a temple in the name of the Archangel Michael.

The temple is located at the address: Litovsky Boulevard, 7. You can simply get here by metro to the Yasenevo stop. You can see the church on your own or with excursions (conducted on donations) daily from 6.00 to 19.00.

Cathedral of Christ the Savior

In the main Russian Cathedral, services of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' are held, meetings of Bishops' Councils and important church events are held. The temple is a monument erected in honor of the victory over Napoleon. It was blown up during the Stalinist regime. At the end of the 20th century, the temple was rebuilt in accordance with the surviving drawings and drawings. The inner hall of the temple seats about 10,000 people.

The thickness of the walls of the new building reaches 3.5 m, its internal height is almost 100 m. The interior decoration of the temple amazes with its beauty and richness. Gold leaf, jewelry made from precious stones, rare minerals are used to create elements of sculpture and painting. By the way, New Year trees for children are held in the Hall of Church Councils.

You can see the temple along with excursions. During their passage, you can visit observation platforms that offer an extraordinary view of Moscow. The entire history of an important era of the Russian state is reflected in the design of the temple. Located on the street. Volkhonka, 45. Open daily (closed on Monday). Entrance to the temple and museum free of charge. To get to the attraction simply take the metro to the Kropotkinskaya stop.

Cathedral of the Epiphany in Elokhov

This name was given to a small village temple operating in the 16th century. The consecration of the New Stone Temple took place around 1853. In 1945, the temple received the title of Patriarchal Cathedral. Before the construction of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, it was the main cathedral of Moscow. Enthronement and funerals of patriarchs were held here (the cathedral contains the tombs of Sergius and Alexy II). In one of its boundaries A.S. was baptized. Pushkin.

Local legends say that in the village of Eloh (from the name of the Olkhovets stream) the famous holy fool Basil the Blessed was born, after whom the famous Moscow Cathedral is named. The temple did not close even in the most difficult times. The shrines of the temple are considered to be the relics of the wonderworker Alexy, a copy of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God. The cathedral is located at the address: Basmanny district of Moscow, Spartakovskaya street, 15. Divine services are held regularly and on patronal holidays. You can visit on your own, along with excursions.

Church of Peter and Paul in Yasenevo

The beautiful temple is located in the Moscow area, where the oldest Yasenevo estate was once located. Mention of the village and the temple dates back to the beginning of the 17th century. The first wooden church (Novopribyla) was erected during the reign of Mikhail Fedorovich in honor of the martyr Sophia and her daughters in 1630. Over its almost 700-year existence, the church was restored, and some architectural elements were changed. In 1973, crosses appeared above the church.

During the 1900s, the building housed the “people’s rooms of the horse yard.” The return of the Orthodox Church building in 1989 helped to resume services and carry out the necessary repairs. The temple became part of the Moscow courtyard of the Holy Vvedenskaya Hermitage. The shrines of the church are considered to be particles of the relics of St. Andrew the First-Called, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Saints Barbara, Catherine, Tatiana, and many other saints.

Church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane

One can kindly envy this ancient temple in Moscow . It appeared on Russian soil in the 16th century. As follows from existing legends, it was built around 1597 in just a day (the meaning of the word everyday life). A stone temple in honor of the revered prophet Elijah appeared instead of an ancient wooden one in 1702. Almost 100 years later, a bell tower and a refectory grew nearby. The temple did not close, services were held even in troubled times. Here is the image of the Holy Trinity; Pozharsky and Minin prayed in front of it. The shrines of the temple are considered to be the icons “Unexpected Joy”, the Mother of God of Feodorovskaya, and Vladimir.

Famous icons “The Fiery Ascension of St. Elijah the Prophet”, famous saints Sergius of Radonezh, Seraphim of Sarov. Small particles of his relics have been considered a shrine of the church since 2008. Services are held daily in the church. From 7.00 to 22.00 the church is open to visitors. The church has a Sunday school for children and adults, and one of the largest church libraries in Moscow.

Located at 2nd Obydensky Lane, 6. A convenient metro station is called “Park Kultury”.

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Khamovniki

In the period of 1679, a church appeared in the place where the Tsar’s weavers (Khamovniks) lived, which became a monument to the ancient architecture of the capital of the 17th century. The first building (Nikolskaya, Svyatonikolskaya Church) stood until 1677. The new stone building began to be called the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The last restoration of the church took place around 1972. And at the end of the century, a huge 108-pound bell was installed on its bell tower. The wall paintings and interior decoration of the church have been preserved since 1845. The shrine of the temple is the miraculous icon “Support of Sinners.”

A gilded iconostasis was installed, painted with golden and bluish shades of paint. The church never closed. In it, even in the years of godlessness, believers prayed for their loved ones, all those who needed help in front of the holy icon of the Mother of God. There is a Sunday school and a youth group at the church. By the way, Leo Tolstoy, who lived nearby, went to this church.

Located at: Lva Tolstoy Street, 2. The easiest way is to get to the Park Kultury ring station by metro, then walk along Komsomolsky Prospekt. The temple, which is visible from afar, stands at the intersection of Frunze and Tolstoy streets.

Church of the Archangel Michael in Troparevo

The center of spiritual life in the ancient village of Troparevo was considered to be the Temple, erected in the name of Archangel Michael. At first it was a wooden structure in the name of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael, built with the financial support of the Novodevichy Convent. A fire in the 17th century completely destroyed the church. The stone church was built at the expense of the monastery around 1694. Now we see this functioning, five-domed Orthodox church with beautiful tented bell towers. The architecture of the temple harmoniously combines the traditions of rural church buildings with the exquisite design of the facade.

Here is the icon of the Archangel Michael, considered his shrine. The shrines include icons of the Mother of God of Don and Smolensk. The famous Image of the Holy Princess Kashinskaya, the healing relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker, the remains of Charalampius. The ensemble includes a house with a baptismal church, a library with a reading room, and a beautifully painted refectory. New buildings for Sunday school, kiosks selling icons, church books. Church activities take place daily. The church is located on Vernadsky Avenue, 90. The Yugo-Zapadnaya metro stop is nearby.

Church of St. John the Warrior on Yakimanka

One of the most beautiful Moscow churches is located among the ancient alleys of Yakimanka Street. The street is named in honor of the righteous Joachim and Anna, the parents of the Virgin Mary (grandfather and grandmother of Jesus Christ). In the name of the patron saint, protector of warriors, a temple was built in 1717. The first building of the temple, which served as a parish church during the time of Ivan the Terrible, was located near the river and was often flooded during floods. His famous frescoes and decorations created by Vasily Bazhenov and Gavriil Domozhirov are lost forever.

Nowadays, the attractions of the interior decoration of the temple include wooden sculptures of the Crucifixion and Seated Christ, made in the 18th century. The revered shrines of the temple are considered to be particles of the Sepulcher, the Robe of the Lord, and a stone from the Jordan River. In this outstanding monument of Peter's Baroque architecture, regular church services are held, a Sunday school and a youth club operate. The Church of St. John the Warrior is located on Bolshaya Yakimanka Street, 46. The nearest metro station is Oktyabrskaya on the Kaluzhskaya line.