The “Unexpected Joy” church in Maryina Roshcha was built on a plot of land donated by Count Sheremetyev to the inhabitants of the village of Maryino for the construction of a church school. The history of the creation of the temple is extremely contradictory, and the organizers had to survive many exciting minutes during the adoption of the project and the construction of the future building.
Temple history
In the church in Ostankino in 1901, priest Sergiy Leonardov worked. He was worried about the spiritual development of people from nearby towns and villages. Residents of the village of Maryina Roshcha often complained to him that it was difficult for them to attend the temple, located 1.5 versts from the settlement. In the off-season and in wet weather, this was generally impossible, since the roads were washed away. Local residents did not have horses; they lived almost in the city limits of Moscow. Therefore, Father Sergius rarely saw them in his service, and was very worried about the spirituality of them and the village children.
At first, the conversation with Count Sheremetyev was about the construction of a parish school, but after a good reflection, it was decided to build a wooden church. The necessary amount for the construction was collected by people living in the parish. In the fall of 1901, Metropolitan Vladimir was sent a petition from local residents, signed by influential people of Maryina Roshcha, which slightly embellished the facts. In fact, a little more than 600 people lived in the village, and in the petition they gave information about the residence of 50,000 inhabitants.
A little trick worked, and they got permission. But there were few rich people, so they could only build a wooden temple. After receiving a response to the petition, work began on the construction of the building, the project and drawings took up the budding architect S. P. Kapralov.
Temple construction
Work on the construction of the “Unexpected Joy” church in Maryina Roshcha is based on drawing up drawings. The architect drew a draft of the usual building at that time. It had a one-headed volume, a service room, classrooms, and a dressing room. Dozens of similar buildings were built in many villages in the area. The design of the church made of wood was approved, but there were unexpected changes in plans.
In 1903, the incoming commission examined the situation on the spot and came to the disappointing conclusion that the construction of a wooden church could be dangerous. In the village, where almost all the buildings surrounding the site of the future temple were wooden, there was a danger of fire. After all, if some nearby house lights up, then the fire will instantly spread to the temple. And this could not be allowed.
It was decided to build the church "Unexpected joy" in Maryina Roscha from stone. An order for the design of a new building was given to another architect N.V. Karneev. He twice gave his projects to the provincial administration, but there the review was constantly delayed, and construction was started without signing the necessary documents. This was considered illegal and threatened with the demolition of an almost completed building.
The process accelerated when the execution of the drawings was handed over to architects P.F. Krotov and D. D. Zverev. An emergency commission for the verification of construction was called with architect M.N. Litvinov. He carefully inspected the structure and was satisfied, writing in the report that the erected structure meets all standards and is safe. And, finally, on June 20, 1904, the grand opening of the “Unexpected Joy” church in Maryina Roshcha was appointed. On this day, the service was conducted by Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna Vladimir Epiphany. The Miracle Choir sounded in the temple.
Interior decoration
The church "Unexpected joy" in Maryina Grove, according to parishioners, is beautifully finished inside. Icons are located in old cases with silver decoration. Several ancient icons donated by the ministers of the temple of Lazarevsky cemetery.
Two huge images in the iconostases of St. Seraphim and the holy martyr Tryphon with holy relics. The main shrine of the temple is considered a miraculous icon of the XIX century with the image of the Mother of God "Unexpected joy".
Legend
In the temple is located the icon "Unexpected joy." Her story is narrated by Dimitry of Rostov in the work “Irrigated Fleece”. A lone sinner and a robber had a habit of going to the icon of the Mother of God for a long time before going to black deeds and asking her for help in committing robbery attacks. And now, according to legend, one day, standing in front of the image, he suddenly saw the Virgin and the little Jesus alive. The baby was bleeding from wounds and ulcers all over her body. Frightened by such a terrible picture, the robber asked what it was.
His answer was horrified. He was told that it was sinful people who crucified the infant’s body on the cross like ancient Jews. The offender was frightened and asked him to forgive his sins, he sincerely repents, and will no longer be engaged in sinful affairs. But little Jesus did not immediately forgive him, only after asking his mother. Suddenly I felt joy in the form of a request for my sins. The image written later was called “Unexpected joy”.
A scene has been drawn for the forgiving robber standing in front of the icon of the Mother of God with a baby in her arms. Under the icon is written the story of the salvation of the soul of a sinner. This will be evidence that true repentance will always find forgiveness. All people are sinful and only complete repentance in the face of the Lord will be the first step to the salvation of the soul.
There are many images of this icon, but only two of them are considered miraculous. This is an icon located in the church "Unexpected joy" in Maryina Roshcha, at the address: st. Sheremetyevskaya, 33. The other is located in the Church of Elijah the Prophet, at 6 Obydensky Lane.
Days of celebration icons
Every year, May 14, June 3 and December 22, spiritual festivals are held celebrating Hodegetria. In the church "Unexpected joy" in Maryina Roscha during the hours of morning service, two Divine Liturgies are celebrated.
The first at 7.00, the second at 10.00. Every Sunday, an evening akathist is celebrated with the icon of the Mother of God in the Church of "Unexpected Joy" in Maryina Roshcha.
Opening hours
For everyone who wants to pray the shrine, the church works daily. The service takes place in the morning and evening (at 8.00 and at 17.00). On church holidays and weekends, morning service is performed twice (7.00 and 10.00).