Among the numerous artistic and historical monuments of Yaroslavl, a special place is occupied by the chapel of Our Lady of Kazan, erected in 1997. Her appearance is familiar to many. And the point is not only that it is depicted on our beloved thousand-ruble note, but also in its inherent artistic merits, as well as the importance of the historical event that served as the occasion for its creation.
Militia Monument
The Chapel of Our Lady of Kazan was built in memory of the liberation of Moscow in 1612 from the Polish invaders by the militia of K. Minin and D. Pozharsky. And it is no coincidence that Yaroslavl was chosen as a place for her. The people's army formed in Nizhny Novgorod on its way to Moscow for four months stayed here to give an opportunity to join it to everyone who wanted to serve the Motherland and was in a hurry in this regard from the most distant parts of Russia.
The period from April to July 1612, while the militias expected reinforcements arriving daily, was not wasted. During these months, it was possible to form the composition of the future government, which was called the “Council of All Land”. It included many representatives of the most influential princely families at that time, as well as elected from ordinary people. The right to head the council was granted to K. Minin and D. Pozharsky, who, incidentally, single-handedly signed the documents, as his illustrious comrade-in-arms was illiterate.
Months spent in Yaroslavl
The Chapel of Our Lady of Kazan (Yaroslavl) is a monument to the diverse work that was carried out here by the militia government for the four months spent in the city. Hence, the elected representatives led the liberation of many Russian cities from the Polish-Lithuanian detachments. Here, a plan was developed and implemented, as a result of which the interventionists were cut off from the main ways of delivering food and ammunition to them.
At the same time, the newly elected council was active in diplomatic activity. In particular, Prince Pozharsky through negotiations managed to almost completely withdraw from participation in hostilities Sweden, who managed to capture by that time a significant part of the Novgorod lands. In addition, as a result of negotiations with the German ambassador, an agreement was reached on the emperor supporting the militia.
The result of the stay of militias in Yaroslavl
Summing up everything that was achieved by the militias during their stay in Yaroslavl, it should be noted first of all that their forces were significantly replenished due to the warriors who came to them from Siberia, Pomerania, and also many other regions of Russia. In addition, under the “Council of All the Land” elected here, such purely government bodies as the Ambassadorial, Bit and Local Orders were created and successfully worked .
Even before the liberation of Moscow in Yaroslavl, a great deal of work was done to restore order in a large territory of the country and to eliminate the robber gangs, which in many times proliferated and terrorized the population. This allowed to some extent to stabilize the situation and create the prerequisites for the revitalization of economic activity. In memory of these glorious pages of our past, the chapel of Our Lady of Kazan (Yaroslavl) was erected, the address of which every citizen knows today.
Opening of the monument
In August 1997, when the whole country celebrated the three hundred and eighty-fifth anniversary of the creation of the militia, on the banks of the Kotorosli River, not far from the place where the Holy Transfiguration Monastery is located, the chapel of Our Lady of Kazan (Yaroslavl) was inaugurated. Photos of this unique building are presented in the article.
From the very first days, the chapel became one of the most striking and beloved by the citizens of the sights. According to the established tradition, newlyweds are photographed near it on such a happy day for them, and numerous tourists throw coins trying to get into the bell - they say it brings happiness.
Icon patronizing the militias
The question is often asked: why was a chapel consecrated in honor of this Kazan icon? The answer should be sought in the events of four hundred years ago. It is known that it was this holy image that the militias prayed before continuing their campaign to Moscow, all the days of which the Blessed Virgin Mary was invisibly present among them. Therefore, in Yaroslavl the chapel of Our Lady of Kazan was erected.
The author of the design of the chapel was the Yaroslavl architect G. L. Dainov. His creative workshop won the all-Russian competition, and the company he led completed the construction of the building. According to the author’s plan, the chapel was given a light and elevated shape, thanks to which it seems to be floating in the air. The snow-white surface of the walls and the simplicity of forms create a unique architectural image.
Chapel, which became a place of national unity
Today, the Chapel of Our Lady of Kazan in Yaroslavl (address: Kotoroslnaya Embankment, 27) is not only a monument of the past and one of the brightest works of modern Orthodox architecture - it also plays an important role in the modern life of the city, becoming the venue for public rallies on the Day of National Unity and Concord .
This is its deeply symbolic meaning. Just as in the difficult times of the Time of Troubles, the Most Holy Theotokos spread her blessed Intercession over Russia, so today people gather to her miraculous image in search of a path to national unity and harmony, and it is not by chance that the chapel of the Kazan Mother of God unites them on this day.