One of the sights of the ancient Russian city of Tula is the temple erected on Oboronnaya Street and consecrated once in honor of the twelve apostles - the closest disciples of Jesus Christ. Since the day of its construction, it has never been closed, always remaining an important spiritual center of the region. Our story will go about its history and today.
Relocation of a village church
The predecessor of the Twelve Apostles Church, which now exists in Tula, whose address is now listed in all city guides, was, as often happened, a small wooden church, erected in 1898. She owes her appearance to Bishop Pitirim, who is worried that most of the Tula churches are concentrated in the city center near the Kremlin, while the residents of the outskirts are deprived of the opportunity to attend church services regularly.
The obstacle in solving the problem was the lack of funds, and then the venerable archpastor ordered to transfer from the nearby village of Nikolsky to Konyushennaya Square (at that time the outskirts of the city) a small wooden church, which the villagers no longer needed in connection with the completion of the construction of a new stone church. And so they did. The rural shrine was dismantled, all logs were carefully numbered, and, having delivered to Tula, they were assembled in a new place.
The bounties of the Tula rich
However, the newfound wooden temple, due to its small size, was not able to accommodate everyone, and the problem remained open. Since the spiritual needs of simple Tula people greatly exceeded their material capabilities, I had to resort to the help of the ministers of the "golden calf" - all kinds of rich people, who, by the way, were not averse to sacrificing for a good cause.
The largest offering for the construction of the Temple of the Twelve Apostles in Tula was received from the state adviser V.A. Nikitstky, who did not spare 10.5 thousand rubles for the eternal commemoration of his dead wife. Representatives of the merchants, D. Ya. Vanykin and N. E. Sanaev, who contributed about 8 thousand rubles to the construction fund, also pretty much forked out.
From serfs to millionaires
A special merit in financing the construction belongs to the rich Tula confectioner - Vasily Ermolaevich Serikov, who became famous throughout the country for his famous Tula gingerbread cookies. This outstanding man, who became one of the most prominent representatives of Russian capital, having been born into a family of serf peasants in Aleksinsky Uyezd, was able, as they say, “from scratch” to establish first a modest trade in confectionery products of his own production, and then gradually turn it into a powerful commercial enterprise with multimillion-dollar incomes .
Vasily Ermolaevich was not only the most generous donor for the construction of the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Tula, but after the completion of the work he became his headman and trustee of the parish school that functioned in those years. He was buried within the church fence at the southern wall of the building.
Shrine embodied in stone
A new stone church was laid in July 1903 next to its wooden predecessor, which was again dismantled and transported for installation in the village of Tovarkovo, where it was destined to burn "in the fire of the revolution." There is still a chapel at its western entrance door, built on the site where its altar was once housed.
The Temple of the Twelve Apostles, erected in Tula, with its external appearance fully corresponds to the Russian architectural style, which was very common at that time. The main volume of the building is a cube topped with five large domes. They are made in the Pskov, the so-called onion style.
The festive and elegant look of the five-domed church is given by numerous elements of decorative decoration - window frames, kokoshniks and balusters (small columns), painted white. The bell tower is made in the form of an upward-looking tent, often found in temple buildings of the Russian Middle Ages, but forbidden in the 17th century by the decree of Patriarch Nikon as inappropriate to church canons.
As in former times, today three altars are placed inside the temple. The main one is consecrated in honor of the Twelve Apostles of Christ, the north is dedicated to St. Nicholas, and the south to the Great Martyr Catherine. A special attraction is the wooden carved altar, richly decorated with gilding. Not inferior to him in his artistic merits and the floor, laid out with colorful Metlakh tiles.
Creation of a parish school and almshouse
As mentioned above, in the pre-revolutionary years, a parochial school was opened at the church, where boys and girls learned the basics of writing together, which at that time was an innovative and very bold form of education. In addition, thanks to the efforts of the clergy and the most active parishioners, an almshouse operated in the same place, which contained elderly and poor people. Both of these institutions were housed in separately constructed buildings for them, preserved to this day. They are located on Peter Alekseev Street and are clearly visible at the entrance to the church fence.
On the Way of the Cross
With the coming to power of the Bolsheviks, a period of persecution began both against the Russian Orthodox Church and against followers of other religious movements. In these difficult times, hundreds of churches and monasteries were closed, and members of the clergy and the most active members of the parishes were subjected to repression.
The misfortunes that have befallen most of the temples of the Tula diocese did not pass over the Church of the Twelve Apostles. Despite the fact that during all decades of the communist regime it never closed, many representatives of its clergy were repressed. So, in March 1926, on false charges of anti-Soviet activity, authorities arrested the rector of the church, Archpriest Father Peter (Pavlushkov).
After holding him in prison for three years, he was released, but after a short time he was again sent to jail, incriminating his connection with the counterrevolutionary organization allegedly uncovered in the city. Despite the apparent absurdity of the accusation, the priest was sentenced by the court to capital punishment and shot along with other victims of the Bolshevik terror. After Khrushchev exposed the cult of the personality of Stalin, he was rehabilitated, and in the 90s he was glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church in the guise of holy martyrs.
Fidelity to the commandments of Patriarch Tikhon
It should be noted that the Church of the Twelve Apostles (Tula) never passed under the jurisdiction of the Renovationists or, as they were called, “zhivoterkovtsy” - representatives of the current in the Russian Orthodox Church, who advocated the modernization of divine services and cooperation with the Communists. It is known that his clergy and parishioners, united in a strong religious community, always remained faithful to the commandments of Patriarch Tikhon, who sharply criticized this unacceptable innovation from the point of view of the church canon and urged all believers in Russia to boycott his preachers.
Under enemy fire
The temple on Oboronnaya Street (its location is called today) did not close even during the years of World War II. According to the memoirs of his abbot, father Michael (Ponyatsky), the period when the Germans came close to the city and parts of the Soviet Army carried on its heroic defense was especially difficult. Located on the outskirts, the temple was in the zone of the most active hostilities, subjected to constant bombardment and shelling.
Several shells, breaking through the walls, burst inside the building, causing him significant damage. However, even in such a situation, the parishioners, and these were mainly women and old people, continued to pray in a snow-covered church, where chants were sometimes drowned out by the roar of cannonade.
At that time, donations were collected for the needs of the front, and despite the fact that the parishioners themselves were in dire need, they made a very significant amount at that time - 3.5 thousand rubles. After the defeat of the fascist hordes, the rector of the church, Father Mikhail (Ponyatsky) was awarded the medal "For the Defense of Moscow", which was evidence of recognition of his many merits.
Honorary Citizen
In 1969, another very worthy shepherd, Archpriest Father Rostislav (Lozinsky), became the head of the temple of the Twelve Apostles in Tula. Combining his main activity with scientific research, in 1979 he defended his thesis and was awarded the title of Doctor of Theology. In addition, he owns a number of works on the history of Tula temples, the most famous of which went out of print under the title "Pages of the Past."
At the end of the 80s, on the initiative of Father Rostislav, a public organization was created in Tula that was engaged in protecting a number of ancient necropolises from the territory of modern city cemeteries from demolition. Through the efforts of the venerable shepherd, a chapel was erected on the site of the first wooden church, which was discussed at the beginning of the article. For his work, he was awarded the title of “Honorary Citizen of Tula”.
Today's day in the life of the temple
Today, the temple on Oboronnaya Street is one of the leading spiritual centers of the city of Tula. The organization of religious life in it is led by the current abbot - Archpriest Father Leo (Makhno), who has become a worthy successor to his glorious predecessors. As in past years, the clergy led by him, together with members of the parish community, devote much effort and time to social and charitable activities. There is a Sunday school at the church, catechesis courses, as well as a number of children's clubs. Organized and assistance to low-income citizens.
The most revered relics stored in the walls of the temple are the miraculous image of the Mother of God of Tikhvin, as well as the icons of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the Holy Apostle Jacob Alfeev. It should be noted that during the period of the communist regime many shrines were transported here, transported from other Tula churches that were closed or destroyed during atheistic campaigns.
To help tourists
It is easy to find out on the sites of Tula in 1 day and what is the hallmark of this ancient Russian city on the websites of numerous travel agencies, but you can get the most complete picture only by visiting it personally. For everyone who wants to make this trip and see the temple, which was discussed in our article, we inform his address: Tula, st. Defense, 92.
The mode of worship held in it generally corresponds to the schedules established in most Orthodox churches. On weekdays, they begin at 8:30 with confession and the subsequent liturgy, and then resume at 17:00. On Sundays and holidays at 11:00 an additional prayer service is performed.
Now about how to get to Tula and the ultimate goal of travel - the temple of interest to us. Residents and guests of the capital can use electric trains leaving from the Kursk station and following to the Moscow station of the city of Tula. Further, minibuses No. 50, 52, 59; buses of routes No. 13 and 13A, as well as trams No. 12 and 13. Owners of their own vehicles will conveniently follow the Moscow-Tula highway, which is 198 km long.