This temple is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the city. The sacred building welcomes both local parishioners and pilgrims who have arrived from other regions. During its existence, the St. Nicholas-Yamsky Church in Ryazan has experienced both periods of prosperity and almost complete destruction. Believers believe that the high intercession of saints saved the building from complete liquidation. According to reviews, the clean and well-groomed St. Nicholas-Yamskaya Church (Ryazan) is filled with comfort, warmth and light, as well as a truly solid, gracious atmosphere. Believers share from his visit, exceptionally positive impressions and a real spiritual uplift remain.
Description
The church building is one of the remarkable examples of late Russian classicism architecture. The structure of the St. Nicholas-Yamsky Church in Ryazan is a three-colored quadrangle, covered with a vault from above, with five small domes installed on it. In the western part of the building there are 4-pillar refectory and 3-tier bell tower. The apse in the eastern part of the church faces Tsiolkovsky Street. Its external sides resemble a portico framed by columns. Several real 4-columned porticoes are located on both facades of the temple.
History of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wet
Up to the eighteenth century, the parish of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, popularly known as the Church of St. Nicholas the Wet, functioned at the confluence of the Oka and Trubezh rivers. It is known that in some years the ministers had to, in order to conduct the service in the church, get to it by boat, since the dry path was completely closed as a result of the flood of the rivers.
In the eighteenth century, the local authorities decided to transfer the shrine to the territory of the so-called Yamskaya Sloboda. The new building was erected from the bricks of a disassembled old church. Fixed assets for the construction were donated by the coachmen who lived in the district. That is why St. Nicholas Church was popularly nicknamed Nikolo-Yamskaya.
Opening of an Orthodox church
The new Orthodox church was opened in 1788. It held regular services and weddings. According to a legend that has survived to our times, if the young, having been married, three times go around the church buildings, their marriage will be surprisingly happy and lasting. The shrine also has another wonderful feature - on its territory there is a clean spring with healing water that helps with various ailments. In 1822, a bell tower was added to the building, and around 1826 the main building underwent reconstruction. Later, the building was completed more than once.
In 1917, the shrine had four thrones: one of them was dedicated to St. Nicholas, the second to the great martyrs Lavr and Flora, the third to Maron the Wonderworker, the fourth to St. Gregory of Armenia.
In the whirlwind of revolution
By the October Revolution, the life of the parish was destroyed. The church was closed, all values were taken out and stolen. The premises of the temple were first used as a vegetable warehouse, and then a brewery was set up here. It is known that over time the building was planned to be demolished.
Restructuring
The dilapidated church building during perestroika (1992) was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church. After 4 years, it was consecrated. In the same year, the rebuilt part of the temple complex was opened. The building was completely restored by the end of 2004. This year the bells were solemnly installed here.
Nowadays
In accordance with the Decree of Archbishop Simon of Ryazan and Kasimovsky, who at that time controlled the Ryazan diocese, the St. Nicholas Church was assigned to the monastery of St. John the Theological Monastery. From November 2009 to the present day the church belongs to the diocesan courtyard. There are several diocesan institutions, a Sunday school and an Orthodox library with a reading room. At the temple there are departments:
- religious education;
- catechesis;
- historical and archival;
- youth.
There are also centers:
- pilgrimage;
- spiritual and educational.
St. Nicholas Church (Ryazan): relics and shrines
One of the main shrines of the temple is the image of St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker, to which believers flock from all over the Ryazan region. Of great importance for parishioners and pilgrims is the presence in the church of the wonderful icon of the Mother of God, known as the "Innocent".
An interesting feature of the temple is also the relics of the venerable saint stored here, before which Ryazans sincerely bow, blessed Lyubov Ryazan.
Holy spring
The ancient archives testify to the presence of a wonderful spring on the territory of the temple, which describes its tasty and clear water that quenches the thirst of passers-by.
But this particular source became famous in Soviet times. The spring seemed to be trying to protect the shrine from the encroachment of the atheists. It is known that after a brewery was created on the temple grounds, the water in the spring miraculously disappeared, as a result of which it became impossible to produce a foamy drink at this enterprise. Later, a restoration workshop was set up in the church building. And again the spring showed its obstinate burrow - the water completely flooded the basement, and because of the spread of dampness it became impossible to work here. As soon as the company moved out, the room again dried up and regained its former coziness.
A wayward church was being prepared for demolition. In its place, the construction of the palace of culture was planned. But suddenly, the plant that was supposed to perform these works went bankrupt. Believers claimed that it was St. Nicholas in this way that protects the temple. So until the perestroika, the church stood empty.
Symbol of unwavering faith
The intercession of the saints did not provide the building with complete preservation. As a result of restoration, the temple building took on a completely new shape. However, parishioners and pilgrims in their reviews enthusiastically note its solemnity and beauty and call it one of the brightest sights of Ryazan. For believers, the St. Nicholas Church, revived from ruins, is a real symbol of unwavering faith and holy intercession.
About location
Address of St. Nicholas-Yamsky Church: Ryazan, st. Tsiolkovsky, house 8. It is easy to get here by any public transport moving to the stop of the same name.