The Church of the Intercession of the Virgin is located in one of the most picturesque corners on the outskirts of Moscow, not far from the Brattsevo estate, which is not only an architectural monument, but also an example of landscape gardening art. The first official mention of a village near Moscow with the same name dates back to the middle of the 16th century.
The history of the estate
The construction of the temple itself is directly related to the Brattsevo estate. The first mention of the village, and specifically of the estate, was found in a spiritual letter drawn up by Danila Grigoryevich Fomin in 1565, where he bequeathed this estate to his wife, and after her death, to the nearby Trinity-Sergius Monastery.
For some time the estate belonged to the monastery, and then was sold to the boyar Godunov. After that, it was resold several times, until in 1657 Bogdan Matveevich Khitrovo became its owner - a military leader, courtier and one of the largest landowners.
Since he was among the close associates of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, he was awarded the rank of butler of the boyar and put in charge of the Armory. It should be noted that at that time she was engaged in industrial and artistic services to the Tsar’s court, and the best artists of that time created it. It was then that the construction of various buildings began, including the boyar’s yard, as well as the stone church.
Temple history
The time when the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos was erected in Bratsevo is evidenced by a stone slab preserved to this day. An inscription written on it in Old Russian script says that in the summer of August 30, 7180 (1672) the church was built by the boyar and gunsmith Bogdan Matveevich Khitrovo and his wife, boyar Maria Ivanovna. Initially, the stove was embedded in the porch outside the church, then for some time it was stored inside the church. Two years ago, she was returned to her former place.
Unfortunately, the building of the temple, this unique architectural and historical monument of the 17th century, has survived to our time with significant changes. Many of its architectural features have been lost to us forever.
At the very beginning of the last century, the princes Shcherbatov, who were the last owners of the Brattsevo estate, insisted on dismantling the bell tower, since it was very dilapidated and needed urgent repairs. But the Imperial Commission for Archeology banned this. The slender high bell tower was demolished in 1928, and now its absence is a significant drawback of the modern look of the temple.
After the accomplished revolution of 1917, church buildings began to decay, the most expensive objects and fragments of decoration began to be taken out of them. At first they were stored in the State Historical Museum, and then from it in 1930 the icons of the church’s festive row, painted back in 1673 by the icon painters of the Armory, were transported to the Tretyakov Gallery. The very same Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Brattsevo in 1934 was closed, and the drums of the chapters were dismantled. Then the church building was again partially rebuilt, and in the 60s a dye factory was operating within its walls, then a warehouse was organized and, finally, a service station.
Divine services in the temple were resumed only in 1993. Now this architectural monument, which has stood for almost four centuries, requires speedy repairs.
Description
After the construction was completed, the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos impressed its contemporaries not only with the beauty of architecture and style, but also with its rich interior decoration, on which the best masters and artists of the Armory worked. They also painted the iconostasis, which is now stored in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow.
The Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Brattsevo is a pillarless church made in the form of two-colored fours, which are covered by a closed arch. It is crowned by the classical Moscow five-domes, decorated in turn with tiers of kokoshniks.
A refectory and a tent bell tower was built from the western part of the temple, on which the so-called combat hours were installed, which was a real wonder for that time.
The church was decorated with a whole belt of multi-colored tiles. The cornice is also decorated with tiled images of angels with wings. The belt itself is a set of rectangular tiles, the coating of which is an irrigated multi-colored ornament made in the form of rosettes.
On a white background, unique, protruding reliefs of angels with blue wings are clearly visible in the tympans of kokoshniks. It is worth noting that it was the look of the multicolored tiles and cherubs that made the Church of the Intercession in Bratsevo exquisitely elegant, despite all its modesty.
Shrines of the temple and the schedule of services
It is believed that the icons for the iconostasis of the church belong to the brushes of various artists. The temple is proud of its main attraction - the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Hodegetria (Smolenskaya).
In addition, there is a particle of the tomb of St. Seraphim of Sarov, as well as particles of the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, Nile Stolobensky, Bethlehem babies and other saints.
For those who want to visit the temple in Bratsevo - the schedule of services: The liturgy on Wednesday, Friday and on holidays begins at 8.00, on Saturday at 7.30, on Sunday at 8.30, and on the eve of the holiday, the all-night vigil at 17.00.
The modern life of the temple
Now in the church not only services are held, but it is also a cultural center. There is a Sunday school, the Blagovest spiritual education center, as well as a museum-gallery of the rector Michael Maleev. He not only serves in the temple, but also paints and books. Therefore, the Church of the Intercession is also the center of creativity, where, thanks to the organized museum, creative and spiritual evenings are held, various excursions are held. In addition, there is also a youth club with a rich program, meetings are held, warm communication and joint watching of films.
The Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin in Brattsevo is located at: Moscow, Salomei Neris street, 4 (metro station Skhodnenskaya).