The church in the name of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Nevsky Forest Park, Leningrad Region) is subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church. This is an example of wooden architecture that adorns the park complex "Manor of the Theologian." The original Church of the Intercession, which was located in the village of Anhimovo, was lost in a fire in 1963.
Today, it was restored with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy II and with the support of the authorities, rebelling like a phoenix from the ashes.
The history of the construction of the temple of the XVIII century
Popular legend says that in 1708 Emperor Peter I himself created a sketch of the future church that adorned the Nevsky Forest Park. The Church of the Intercession owes its appearance to a wealthy peasant named Plotnikov, whose son fell into disgrace of the Sovereign and was executed.
Left without an heir, Plotnikov decided to spend his fortune on the charitable work of building the temple, which he asked for the gracious permission of the emperor. Peter I, not heeding his prayers for mercy on his son earlier, condescended to requests for the construction of a church.
Having obtained permission to build a temple, a prosperous peasant allegedly immediately received from the emperor’s hands a sketch drawn by his highest face that created a monument of Russian wooden architecture, a landmark of the modern park complex Nevsky Forest Park. The Church of the Intercession was the pearl of the Onega land of northwestern Russia for hundreds of years, until in 1963 it burned down due to criminal negligence.
The history of the revival of the Intercession Church in the XXI century
The original 1956 dimensional drawings, which were used to reconstruct a unique monument of Russian wooden architecture, were compiled by the outstanding contemporary restorer, the scientist A.V. Militant. The best Russian foremen worked on the manufacture of walls and domes of the cathedral.
After the consecration of the worship cross established in 2003, the Vsevolozhsk District of the Leningrad Region regains the opportunity to revive an amazing example of Russian architectural art.
In the fall of 2004, the ceremonial prayer marked the beginning of the construction of the temple. At the same time, the first pile was clogged at the construction site, and in winter the workers started pouring the foundation. At its base were laid the surviving stones from the burnt church.
Then, in 2004, near Petrozavodsk, work began on logging, as well as the manufacture of wooden walls, after which in 2005 the log house of the temple was moved to Nevsky Forest Park. At the same time, the Intercession Church received domes, a ploughshare and walls of the bell tower. A year later, the head of the church was decorated with a cross.
On October 14, 2006, a small, and exactly two years later, great consecration of the cathedral was performed by Metropolitan Vladimir of St. Petersburg and Ladoga.
With the restoration of the Church of the Intercession, the Vsevolozhsk District of the Leningrad Region returned another unique exhibit to the repository of its architectural monuments.
Cathedral exterior
Many churches in the Leningrad Region are built in the shape of a cross. The high nineteen-meter Pokrovsky temple was no exception. It has as many as 25 chapters, its width is 30 meters, and its length is 2 meters more.
The main room of the temple is located in the central octagon. From each side of the world, altars (logs) adjoin it. The main one, according to ancient tradition, is located in the east and has five faces, as well as two other log houses, which serve as part-time altars and are located from the south and north of the main one.
In the west, a tent ring is adjacent to the octagon, which serves as the entrance to the temple. Twenty-two windows provide the greatest possible natural light in this latitude in the daytime.
The basement has facilities for organizing the work of the Sunday school and the refectory.
Shrines of the temple
The altar gospel - the most important element of worship and decoration of every Orthodox church - the church received back in 2003.
The relic was made according to the Decree of Peter I and is almost the same age as the restored architectural monument that adorns the Nevsky Forest Park today. The Intercession Church received as a gift copies of unique icons: the temple icon (Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos), the icon of the Mother of God (Azov), the Savior (Zvenigorod), as well as a cross made on the model of the oldest cross on Solovki.
How to visit the cathedral
The park complex is waiting for pilgrims and tourists to visit the temple, popularly called the Intercession Church (Nevsky Forest Park). How to get to the complex yourself?
From the St. Petersburg metro station "Lomonosovskaya" to the Nevsky Forest Park there is public transport (No. 476, No. K-476).
Working hours
All churches are obligated to obey the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, including the Church of the Intercession (Nevsky Forest Park). The opening hours of the cathedral are determined by the annual cycle of worship.
Morning services are traditionally held at 9 o’clock. The night before, at 5 pm, all-night vigils are served. Sightseeing of the complex is possible daily from 9 to 19 hours.
When visiting the temple, pilgrims and tourists should not forget about etiquette. The traditional church dress code for women involves a scarf and a skirt covering the knees. Men enter the temple without a hat. Too open and defiant clothing is considered inappropriate.
A visit to the park complex and the wooden Russian temple will allow you to learn more about the culture and spiritual traditions of our country.