In the Sokolinaya Mountain area, on the territory of green and cozy park, near the Semenovskaya metro station in Moscow, rises Resurrection of Christ at the former Semenovskoe cemetery.
It was erected in 1855. However, the first wooden building at the Semyonovsky cemetery was built in 1643, it was called the Church of the Entry, but in 1728 the wooden building burned down. A century later, in the mid-19th century, it was decided to re-erect it at the cemetery.
The funds for the construction of a new stone temple were allocated by the merchant Mikhail Nikolaevich Mushnikov. And the architect of the building was Konstantin Andreevich Ton. The appearance of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ reflects the Russian-Byzantine style. It is single-domed, which has an original system consisting of three cylindrical vaults. They rest their heels on the girth arches. And the bases of the pilaster columns repeat exactly the design of the one now restored in Moscow.
The low hipped bell tower is not placed outside the temple, as can often be seen in other churches. It is located immediately behind the quadrangle and is more reminiscent of the second chapter than a bell tower. Nevertheless, the appearance of the building looks harmonious. The architect emphasized the role of the bell tower - it dominates the surrounding space, giving it scale and some internal monumentality. 
The inside is no less beautiful than the outside. The altars of its side chapels are located on the same line as the main altar. There are three thrones in total. The southern aisle was erected in the name of the Holy Blessed Prince Vladimir and All Saints. The opposite chapel, the northern one, is in the name of the icon of the Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow. And the main or central chapel is in the name of the Resurrection of Christ.
She was certainly very beautiful. There are descriptions of eyewitnesses who talk about its rich interior decoration. For example, the temple had a mosaic floor made of marble. Moreover, the marble was of the rarest Olonets breed. There were also ancient icons here, and the iconostasis could be called a work of art.
Before Soviet times, there was a free library at the church, a parochial school, a Temperance Society, and various interviews on the topic of Faith. In addition, the church organized a fundraiser for the benefit of the blind. And on holidays, the priest talked about religion and had moral conversations.
But in 1917 the life of the temple changed. First they closed it, then they began to destroy it. In the thirties, the bell tower and dome of the temple were completely dismantled. In 1937, the rector of the temple, Pavel Georgievich Anisimov, was arrested and later shot. Now he is canonized. After this event, the premises of the temple were confiscated, and outbuildings, and soon a mechanical repair plant was located here.
Restoration began in 1996, when it was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church. First, a cross was installed on the roof, then services immediately began to be held, and at the same time, funds were being raised for its restoration. Until 1998, on the ground floor of the temple there were still various machines, there was a kitchen, a cafeteria and the administration of the plant.
In 2000, significant work began on its revival. Paintings appeared on the walls, the floor was cleaned, and the bells began to ring in the bell tower. To date, the temple has been restored almost completely, for which the main merit belongs to the parishioners.
description
Embraced by the greenery of the adjacent quiet park near the Moscow Semenovskaya metro station in the Sokolinaya Gora area stands the Church of the Resurrection of Christ.
The area, whose history goes back more than 300 years, unites two historical territories: Blagusha, or Blagushenskaya Grove, “in which even animals used to live,” and the former village of Semenovskoye. The name of the Sokolinaya Gora district itself comes from the Amusing Falcon Yard located here in the mid-17th century, where falcons and gyrfalcons were kept for Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich's hunting.
The Church of the Resurrection of Christ is the Patriarchal Metochion. The temple building is a monument of history and culture.
VILLAGE "SEMENOVSKOE"
__________________________________________________________
The village itself was located on the territory of the modern Sokolinaya Gora district. There is an assumption that among its buildings was the temple of Simeon the God-Receiver, which gave the name to the village. During the time of Peter I, the Semenovskaya Soldiers' Settlement appeared here. The village gave its name to the Semyonovsky regiment, also known as the “Amusing Regiments”. In Semenovsky there was also wooden palace Peter the Great, very modest, and, unfortunately, not preserved. Peter I loved to go on festivities to the Semenovskaya Grove and took his entire family with him.
Another landmark of the village was the family house with the estate of Prince Alexander Danilovich Menshikov, located not far from the Church of the Presentation. In Semenovskoye there was a rural churchyard, assigned to the Vvedenskaya Church, where the prince’s parents were buried, and later his two daughters were buried in Semenovskoye. At the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, military estates replaced the courts of merchants and townspeople, and the first brick factories, weaving factories and slaughterhouses began to appear.
__________________________________________________________
VEDENSKAYA CHURCH
__________________________________________________________
In the village, on the site where the Semenovskoe cemetery was later located, there once stood a wooden Church of the Introduction. There is a mention that it was built in 1643 by Tsarina Evdokia Lukyanovna, the wife of the first of the Romanov family, Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich. This church burned down in 1728, and in 1736 the residents of Sloboda built a stone building in another place, closer to the Yauza, on the shore of a pond called Pracheshny. The bell tower of the new church was built at the beginning of the 19th century, the refectory was rebuilt in 1871-1875. Ancient utensils and lamps were kept in the church. Some of them contained inscriptions, for example: “From gentlemen officers”, etc.
Historian V.F. Kozlov talks about the last years of the Church of the Introduction: “In 1929, workers of the electric plant filed a petition for the demolition of the temple “in order to expand the territory of the park”; The Central Restoration Workshops (TSRGM) did not object, and on May 20 of the same year the Moscow Workers’ Council supported it.” The complaint of believers somewhat delayed the sad outcome, but at the end of July the supreme authorities gave the green light to demolish the church, which began in October after the removal of church property. In the Vvedensky Church, classified by the Central State Historical Museum as “having no historical and architectural significance,” there were wonderful ancient icons. In its altar, iconostasis and on the walls there were about four dozen images painted no later than the 17th century, and some of them dated back even to the 15th century. (!). According to experts, such ancient icons could well have been from Novgorod in origin.
On the site of the Vvedenskaya Church (behind the electric lamp factory club - the most noticeable building on the current Zhuravlev Square) - there is now a school building.
__________________________________________________________
SEMENOVSKOE CEMETERY
__________________________________________________________
Once upon a time, the Semenovskoye cemetery was the only “plague-free” one in the ring of cemeteries behind the Kamer-Kollezhsky Val. Despite the fact that there were several graves of quite famous and high-ranking people here, it was never considered a prestigious resting place. Since its founding, the cemetery has become a traditional burial place for military personnel. First of all, this is explained by the fact that the largest and oldest Lefortovo military hospital in Russia was and is still located nearby. When wounded participants in the wars waged by Russia in the 18th and early 20th centuries died in the hospital, they were usually buried at the Semenovskoye cemetery. Especially many participants of the First World War were buried here. A large area was even fenced off especially for them on the southern edge of the cemetery. This is how he described it in 1916 in the book “Essays on the History of Moscow Cemeteries” by A.T. Saladin: “There is something especially sad in this cemetery, where all the graves, like soldiers in formation, are stretched out in orderly rows, where all the crosses are made in the same shape, and even the inscriptions on them are all of the same type. Only in the center, in the officer’s part of the cemetery, is some variety of monuments noticeable, but even there everything is simple and poor.”
However, there is a stone with the whole will of the philosopher. It is located on the main alley from the church, behind the well, on the edge of the left side. Here is the literal content of the inscription: “Knowledge reduces the suffering of people. The spirit without knowledge and the body without food and clean air die. When eating healthy, make movements on clean air. When resting, i.e. at night, have a bedroom with an open window. Stop being treated. Throw yourself into the arms of nature and you will be healthy.” (Apollon Grigorievich Belopolsky).
In 1838, one of the most talented poets of Pushkin’s era, Alexander Polezhaev, died in the Lefortovo hospital and was buried in the Semenovskoye cemetery.
Many high military officials were also buried in the cemetery: Lieutenant General N.K. Zeimern (1800-1875), participant in the Caucasian War; Lieutenant General K.V. Sixtel (1826-1899), chief of artillery of the Moscow Military District; Infantry General V.K. Gervais (1833-1900), participant in the Crimean and Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878.
Among them, in addition to a large number of military ranks, all classes of Moscow residents are represented: honorary hereditary citizens, architects, clergy.
The first rector of the temple, Archpriest Alexander Sergievsky, was buried in 1877. His son Nikolai Sergievsky (1827-1892) also rested here. He was the protopresbyter of the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin, the rector of the university church of St. Tatiana and professor of theology, logic and psychology at Moscow University.
Next to Fr. Alexander Sergievsky, the rector of the temple was Fr. Konstantin Ostroumov (1827-1899). This priest became famous as the founder of the first temperance society in Moscow.
__________________________________________________________
THE FATE OF SEMENOVSKY CEMETERY IN SOVIET TIMES
__________________________________________________________
The fate of the cemetery during Soviet times was sad. In 1935, the Presidium of the Moscow City Council decided to liquidate it and develop the vacated territory into a public garden. The liquidation dragged on for more than 30 years, during which no new burials were made there. During this time, many tombstones were removed either for reuse in other cemeteries, or as valuable stone for the needs of the national economy. The fences and metal chapels were melted down.
And in 1966, the cemetery was finally destroyed. Semenovsky Passage ran right along it, dividing it into two unequal parts, of which only the northern, smaller, remained undeveloped - it is now where the square with the Resurrection Church and several more tombstones miraculously survived. And mostly on the territory of the cemetery there are now multi-storey residential buildings.
Many wonderful people were buried at the Semenovskoye cemetery - the pride of Russian history and culture. Among the family burials are a large family of Ketchers, who came from Sweden and took root in Russia, family burials of the Gayarins, Demidovs, Surins... A considerable number of people buried at the Semenovskoye cemetery went down in the history of our Fatherland. Their names, their deeds are recorded in encyclopedias, reference books, dictionaries, and brief biographical information about them is given below. Perhaps these names, which have escaped oblivion, will make us think, awaken the dormant feeling of the Motherland, native history, respect for the memory of our ancestors and better live the rest of our days, since this memory is an imprint of the highest morality and nobility.
Let us bow to the ashes of those who worked for the glory of our Fatherland. They are “our history, our past and future. It is not only possible, but also necessary to be proud of the glory of our ancestors. Not to respect it is shameful cowardice” (A.S. Pushkin). As long as we keep their memory alive, we will be worthy of them.
__________________________________________________________
TEMPLE OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
__________________________________________________________
The temple was built at the Semenovskoye cemetery in 1855 in the Russian-Byzantine style at the expense of the merchant Mikhail Nikolaevich Mushnikov, according to the models of the architect Konstantin Andreevich Ton. This is a rather rare type of temple structure. The single-domed temple had an original system of three cylindrical vaults resting with their heels on girth arches. The bases of the pilaster columns exactly repeated the design of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The altars of the chapels are on the same line with the main altar; there are three altars. The central one is in the name of the Resurrection of Christ, the South chapel is in the name of St. good book Vladimir and All Saints, and the Northern chapel - in the name of the icon of the Mother of God of All Who Sorrow. The low hipped bell tower was not moved outside the temple as an independent architectural structure; it was located in the west and resembled a second, asymmetrical chapter rather than a bell tower. In the space-planning solution of the Temple, emphasis was placed on the role of the bell tower as the dominant feature of the surrounding space and on its internal monumentality and scale.
According to contemporaries, the church was very beautiful, it had a mosaic floor made of Olonets marble, and there were ancient icons placed in an excellent iconostasis. It was “a church with sufficient utensils.”
The temple was consecrated on July 17, 1855 by Saint Philaret of Moscow (Drozdov), First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan of Moscow, now canonized.
In 1901, the refectory and bell tower were reconstructed by the architect A.P. Mikhailov.
At the temple there was a parochial school, a free library-reading room, a Temperance Society, liturgical interviews, collections for the benefit of the blind, and religious and moral conversations were held on holidays.
__________________________________________________________
THE FATE OF THE TEMPLE IN SOVIET TIMES
__________________________________________________________
The fate of the temple during the Soviet period is comparable to the fate of the new martyrs - it was closed and suffered significant destruction. In the 1930s, the dome and bell tower were completely dismantled. Since the temple is double-height, this allowed its new owners to build a second floor there. Utility extensions were made to the apses, bell tower and southern façade. After this "reconstruction" in former temple a mechanical repair plant was located.
REVIVAL AND RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE
__________________________________________________________
In 1996, the Church of the Resurrection of Christ was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church. That same year, before Easter, the Cross was installed on the roof of the Temple. On Holy Saturday the blessing of Easter cakes and Easter cakes took place. Throughout the year on Sundays and holidays Prayers and readings of an akathist to the Risen Christ were performed. Services were performed on the 2nd floor of the Temple, part of which was rebuilt in Soviet times as an assembly hall. The first floor was a workshop, all lined with various machines, with a floor covered with a thick layer of asphalt and factory dirt.
Despite the fact that the Temple building was returned to the believers, until 1998 it continued to house the equipment of the repair shop.
Significant changes in the restoration of the Temple began with the appointment of a new rector - Archimandrite Augustine (Pidanov). On April 19, 1998, on the feast of Holy Easter, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated, which became the starting point for regular services in the newly recreated Temple.
Since 2000, full-scale restoration work began. By that time, only 2 frescoes had survived, but they could not be restored. New paintings of the temple were completed in 2005-2006.
Thanks to the efforts of parishioners and benefactors who care about the restoration of Russian shrines, it has now been possible to restore the former beauty of the temple. With great difficulty, a significant part of the land that once belonged to the Church was returned to him.
__________________________________________________________
SPECIAL SACRES OF THE TEMPLE
__________________________________________________________
- icon of Blessed Augustine, Bishop of Hippo with a particle of holy relics (painted from a mosaic image of the 14th century, located in the cathedral of the city of Cefalu on the island of Sicily (Italy);
- an icon with a particle of the relics of the Holy Blessed Prince Peter and the Holy Blessed Princess Fevronia of Murom Wonderworkers;
- icon with a particle of the relics of the martyr. Gabriel of Bialystok;
The main altar of the temple was consecrated in honor of the Resurrection of Christ, and the chapels are in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” (northern), Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir (southern).
With the blessing of the rector, the ancient pious tradition that came to us from apostolic times has been revived - the singing of the Divine Liturgy by all the people (a common choir of parishioners).
At the temple there are: Sunday school for children, Gospel circle, Sobriety circle, Catechetical conversations are held, the Orthodox Center for Crisis Psychology operates, where qualified psychological assistance is provided to children and adults experiencing severe grief due to the loss of loved ones, a crisis in family relationships, loss of the meaning of life, etc. .. In addition, at the temple there is a Youth Center in the name of the Holy Great Martyr Catherine, within the framework of which many events are held: joint pilgrimage trips and celebrations, meetings with psychologists, and meetings with the rector, Archimandrite Augustine (Pidanov), which have already become traditional. The Parish Counseling Service carries out its work.
The Church of the Resurrection of Christ at Semenovskaya (metro station) is recognized as an architectural monument of Moscow. The cathedral building was erected in 1855 on the territory of the Semenovsky cemetery. That same year, on July 17, it was consecrated by the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Philaret. The temple is open to parishioners to this day.
General information
Under the clear leadership of the merchant Mushnikov, the Church of the Resurrection of Christ was erected (on Semenovskaya). There are no photographs showing the cathedral in its original form. However, despite the significant destruction of the temple at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as the use of the religious building as a repair plant, its appearance has changed little.
In the middle of the 20th century, the Semenovskoye cemetery was completely destroyed. A park has been laid out on the site of the former graveyard. The restoration of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ on Semenovskaya began only in 1996, when the religious building was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church. Restoration work and reconstruction began only in 2000. Only 2 frescoes remained of the former beauty of the cathedral, but due to fragility and a large percentage of destruction, it was not possible to preserve evidence from the 19th century. A decision was made to re-paint the temple, which was successfully completed in 2006.
The original appearance was recreated through donations from parishioners. Most the territory that belonged to the church before the revolution was returned to the patriarchal possessions.
Operating mode
Of course, one of the most favorite places among Orthodox Christians is the Church of the Resurrection of Christ on Semenovskaya. Schedule of services from exact time and the dates can be found on the official website of the cathedral.
Generally speaking, services are held daily. On the territory of the temple, prayers for health are performed, as well as memorial services for the deceased. The main difference between the cathedral and others is that it is here that the most ancient tradition is embodied - spiritual singing. The Divine Liturgy is performed not only by clergy, but also by ordinary parishioners. To take part in the singing, it is enough to receive from the regent a sheet with the words and notes of the liturgy.
Social work
The social orientation of the activity distinguishes the Church of the Resurrection of Christ (on Semenovskaya) from the general mass of religious buildings. Feedback from parishioners about the crisis center is positive.
It was opened in 2006 after the blessing of Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. The building is located on the Patriarchal Compound. Both adults and children can receive psychological help. In addition, professional support will be provided to believers of any faith, as well as atheists.
The main emphasis is on helping people who are at first glance in the church. Professional psychologists provide support to parishioners who have lost loved ones. People who are sick, have post-traumatic disorder, or have been hostages of terrorists or participants in natural accidents are not left unattended.
Youth Center
The Church of the Resurrection of Christ on Semenovskaya keeps up with the times. That is why a youth center has been organized on the territory of the compound. The Orthodox organization conducts various events, who not only instruct on the path of God, but also fill the hearts of young people with kindness and love.
In particular, the youth center organizes meetings between men and women who are aimed at starting a family and having children. Thanks to the support of believers, pilgrimage trips to holy places are carried out, hiking trips performed on weekends. In addition, a Gospel circle has been organized on the territory, where the Divine Scriptures are analyzed.
Various events that take place on major holidays are also common in the organization. Anyone who has expressed a desire to help parishioners can take part in them.
Cathedral Sunday School
The Church of the Resurrection of Christ on Semenovskaya is engaged in educational activities that allow parishioners to understand the essence of the Orthodox faith. Children from 6 to 13 years old can attend classes. The entire educational process in Sunday school occurs as a dialogue. This allows children not only to learn theoretical basis Orthodoxy, but also to ask all questions of practical interest.
For the convenience of conducting classes, a library has been organized on the territory of the Sunday school, and there is a wide video library. The lesson program includes the study of the Law of God, the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as chanting techniques. There are additional courses for studying Russian and English languages, as well as a handicrafts club.
The Church of the Resurrection of Christ is not only a religious building of the Russian Orthodox Church, but also a full-fledged social center that allows people suffering and in need of help to be fully rehabilitated.
At the place where it stands today Church of the Resurrection of Christ, there was once a Semenovskoe cemetery. It grew out of an ordinary rural churchyard that belonged to the Vvedenskaya Church in Semenovskoye.
This resting place was never considered prestigious, even though many great people were buried here. It was mainly intended for the burial of military personnel, since there was a military hospital nearby.
From the history of the Resurrection Church on Izmailovskoye Highway
After the revolution, it was decided to destroy the Semenovskoye cemetery and create a public garden in its place.
The liquidation of the cemetery lasted for more than 30 years: the tombstones were used for state needs, the fences and chapels were melted down. As a result, the burial site was divided into 2 parts: residential buildings were erected on the first, and the second became a public garden.
Long before the destruction of the cemetery, in 1855, the Church of the Resurrection of Christ was built here. The funds were provided by the merchant Mushnikov. The basis was taken from the samples and sketches of the architect K.A. Tones. The construction turned out to be rare for that time.
The Church of the Resurrection had one chapter, but the tent-roofed bell tower adjacent to the western side was perceived more as a second chapter of the church than an independent building.
From the memories of witnesses it is known that the temple was beautiful: the floor was paved with marble mosaics, and the excellent iconostasis contained ancient icons, of which there were many.
The temple after the revolution and today
In 1917, the Church of the Resurrection at the former Semenovskoye cemetery was closed.
The bell tower and dome were dismantled, and another floor was built in the building. Several rooms for utility needs were added to the southern façade and apses. Only after all the alterations was the mechanical repair shop located here.
The rector of the temple (at that time he was P.G. Ansimov) was arrested and later shot. Today he is among the holy Russian new martyrs.
In 1996, the Resurrection Church near the Semenovskaya metro station was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church. Then, before Easter, a cross was installed on the roof of the holy building. Soon Easter cakes were already blessed here.
Services were held on the 2nd floor, where the assembly hall was located during Soviet times. Other rooms were lined with machines, and there was a layer of asphalt on the floor with factory dirt on it. The repair shop occupied the walls of the temple for a long time.
Only in 2000 did everything move from the “dead point” and full-fledged restoration work began.
To date, parishioners have managed to return the temple to its former appearance. It was also possible to defend the lands that once belonged to the Church of the Resurrection.
The doors of the shrine are open to everyone. There are benches for elderly people, in the church shop you can find many Orthodox printed publications, a Sunday school is always open for children and adults, and there is also a Youth Center.
