In Moscow, as in all of Russia, people of many faiths live. There are Protestants among the inhabitants of the capital. There are not too many of them, in comparison with the Orthodox, but nevertheless they are. They have temples for their services, some of which were built long ago and have a solid history. Currently, Protestant churches in Moscow are conducting mass work among parishioners and are actively developing.
Story
In the capital, Protestants began to appear in the middle of the 16th century. Almost all of them were Europeans who were invited to the service. Many of them were military, doctors, artisans, merchants. Gradually, they became more and more, and over time they built the first Protestant church, which was consecrated in the name of the Archangel Michael. This happened at the end of the 16th century, it was wooden, small and was in the German settlement. From that moment, Protestant churches in Moscow have their origin.
Over time, among them there was a split caused by a quarrel. Because of this, in the mid-17th century, a second church was built for the new community. It was located on Pokrovka, in the center of Moscow. But she, like their old church, did not last long. A few years later, due to the numerous complaints of Orthodox priests, the Protestant churches in Moscow were demolished.
A decree was adopted, according to which all foreigners who did not accept Orthodoxy, it was decided to relocate to the Yauza settlement. A few years after this, members of the Protestant community decided to rebuild the Church of St. Michael. Two years later, it was erected. This time it was no longer wooden, but stone. A few years later, Peter the Great personally laid the foundation for a new Protestant church named after the apostles Peter and Paul. In his presence she was consecrated. This temple lasted for more than a hundred years and burned down during a fire in the capital, in 1812.
Years passed, the number of foreigners professing this branch of Christianity increased and new Protestant churches opened in Moscow. This continued until the October Revolution, during which the Bolsheviks came to power in the country. All churches, including Protestant ones, were closed, and many clergy were sent into exile or were killed. The religious decline continued until the collapse of the USSR.
Rebirth
In modern Russia, the Protestant community of Moscow is steadily increasing. Old churches were restored and opened churches, new ones are being built. Divine services are held regularly, all religious holidays are celebrated. In Protestant churches in Moscow there are many parishioners. They actively participate in many activities conducted by clergy.
In Moscow there are several Protestant churches, both recently built and fairly old. The most famous are the Anglican Church of St. Andrew, the Lutheran Holy Trinity of Saints Peter and Paul and the Evangelical Christians-Baptists. Of course, the complete list of spiritual structures is much more solid. But these Protestant churches of Moscow are the most famous.
Anglican Church of St. Andrew
This spiritual building is the only one in the capital of Russia. This church is multinational, and services that are held only in English are attended by representatives of 40 different branches of Christianity.
It is the center of Moscow clergy, which also includes spiritual buildings in Vladivostok, St. Petersburg. The church has an educational center, a large library, a society of anonymous alcoholics and a Sunday church.
Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity
This church is located in the Vvedensky cemetery and is part of the parish of the same name. Initially, the building in which it was located served as a simple chapel and was built in the early 20th century. But after it was expanded, landscaped and became a church. Subsequently, it was closed for many years, like many other spiritual buildings of the USSR. Only at the end of the 20th century, this and other Protestant churches in Moscow began to work again, the addresses of which remained the same.
Despite its small size and the fact that it is located in the cemetery, there are always many parishioners in it. Especially during the holidays. Bali carried out work on its ennobling; they also arranged the area around the building.
Lutheran Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
When talking about historical Protestant churches in Moscow, they mean primarily the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, which is the main one in the regional Lutheran church in the European part of Russia. It is one of two officially operating churches in Moscow. In addition, he is one of the oldest parishes of this church in Russia.
He is also one of the most beautiful. A lot of work was done and significant funds were invested in its interior and exterior decoration. And also purchased all the necessary church utensils for worship.
Church of Evangelical Christian Baptists
In the Small Trekhsvyatitelsky Lane is one of the oldest Baptist religious institutions. This church was built in the middle of the 19th century. Initially, the building in which it is located was an ordinary residential building. But the architect Hermann von Nissen rebuilt it into a church.
As we can see from the above, Protestant churches in Moscow are quite actively developing, rebuilding and building new ecclesiastical institutions, a lot of public work is being conducted among parishioners.