Peter is a city of impeccable beauty, delighting its residents and guests with examples of magnificent architecture. Among other things, this is true for many temples of the Northern capital. For example, one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches located in St. Petersburg is the Church of the Nativity of Christ on Kollontai. About him and will be discussed below.
History of the construction of the church
This temple is very young and is located in a place where historically there was no religious structure. In September 2002, at the place where the church stands, a police officer was killed in the line of duty. In memory of him, a place was chosen by an initiative group that lobbied for the idea of building a temple since 2001.
In early December 2002, believers turned to Metropolitan Vladimir, the head of the St. Petersburg department, with a request to appoint Oleg Zhavoronkov to the newly formed parish as rector. In February-March, the petition was granted. Simultaneously with the petition, a cross was erected at the site of the future church. A formal registration of the parish took place on March 12, 2002. Initially, a wooden temporary church was built for the parish, in which it would be possible to worship, while the stone church of the Nativity of Christ is being built on Kollontai. In November 2003, this chapel was consecrated by the priestly rank, and since then regular worship services began to take place in it. In August 2004, concrete was poured under the foundation of the future church. At the same time, concrete was mixed in holy water taken from 24 sources. And stones and soil from sacred places for Orthodox believers were invested in the foundation itself: Mount Sinai, Jerusalem, Athos, Bethlehem and a number of pilgrim centers in Russia.
The temple of the Nativity of Christ at Kollontai was founded in 2005. The construction was led by architect A.M. Lebedev. And already in 2006, domed crosses were consecrated and hoisted, and bells were hung on the temple bell tower. The basis of the temple was taken Sofia Cathedral in Novgorod. The five-domed Church of the Nativity with Byzantine domes earned her the glory of the St. Petersburg Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Byzantine architectural style in Russian church architecture is a rather rare occurrence.
Temple description
The Christmas Church has four thrones at once. Central, as the name implies, is dedicated to the holiday of Christmas. The northern aisle is consecrated, like the temporary wooden chapel, in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Satisfy My Sorrows”. The southern chapel with its patron has the holy great martyr George the Victorious. And another All-Holy See is located in the baptismal church on the basement.
The beginning of worship
The first consecration of the church by the priestly rank took place in 2008 in early January. Then the first liturgy was celebrated in it. Over the next few years, work continued on the decoration of the temple and its ennoblement. In particular, iconostases were installed in all aisles, carved icon cases were installed in the nave of the temple, and icons were painted.
Parish of the Church of the Nativity on the street. Kollontai schedule
Divine services and ordinances in the church are performed daily according to the following schedule.
Weekdays :
- 9-30. Confession.
- 10-00. Liturgy.
- 18-00. Evening service.
Weekend:
- 9-30. Confession.
- 10-00. Liturgy.
- 12-00. Meeting with the catechist.
- 13-00. Epiphany.
- 18-00. All-night Vigil.
In the evenings of Wednesday, Tuesday and Sunday, the Church of the Nativity of Christ on Kollontai includes the singing of akathists in the evening service:
- On Wednesday - an akathist of the Mother of God "Satisfy my sorrows."
- On Sunday - an akathist to Jesus the Sweetest.
- On Tuesday, akathist to the great martyr Panteleimon.
Christmas Church Address
The Church of the Nativity of Christ is located at Kollontai, 17, St. Petersburg. The nearest metro station is Bolshevik Avenue.