Nikita Church in Volgograd is the oldest religious place in the city. The church was built at the end of the eighteenth century. There is debate about the exact time of construction work. Scientists attribute the construction of the church to 1794-1795. Currently, a large number of believers come to the Volgograd Orthodox Church daily.
Temple history
The Nikita Church in Volgograd was built at the expense of Beketov Nikita Afanasevich, who was the Governor-General of Astrakhan. Disputes about the exact date of construction of the temple are related to the fact that construction work began in 1794, and ended after the death of Beketov in 1795.
Initially, the church had the form of a basilica. The building had many windows. It was a bright and comfortable temple. The original appearance of the Nikitsky church did not reach our time. The fact is that the temple was rebuilt twice.
In 1867, several buildings were added, after which the church acquired a cruciform shape. And in 1901, the wooden bell tower was replaced by a stone one. In this form, the Nikitsky church is located at the present time.
The temple in its original form accommodated about 600 people. After additional construction work, the number of parishioners increased.
The history of the temple in Soviet times
In Soviet times, when all the churches and temples of the country were actively closed and transferred to warehouses, the Nikitsky church did not stop its activities. The temple worked at a time when the rest of the city’s churches were closed.
Despite the staunchness of the clergy of the Nikitsky church, the temple was closed in 1940 before the start of World War II. The building was transferred for public use.
During the war, the Soviet authorities changed their attitude towards churches. The first Nikita temple began to function in Stalingrad. The city residents received permission to open it in 1943. This event was significant for believers. A year after the end of World War II, a service was held in Nikitsky Church, attended by more than 6,000 people. Despite the fact that more than 1000 people could not get inside, they remained on the street, stood and prayed with the rest.
In the post-war years, the church was renovated, and new church utensils were purchased. In 1955, restoration work began inside and outside the church. In the same year, the miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary was brought to the temple. In honor of such a joyful event, a solemn meeting was arranged.
The painting of the Holy Nikita Church was carried out by the following masters: M. Krasilnikov, M. Gubonin, A. Kozlenkov. Several icons were painted depicting the Monk Nikita the Confessor.
More than 1 million rubles were spent on restoration work. Financial expenses were carefully controlled by state bodies, which suppressed unnecessary expenses in their opinion.
The temple was almost completely restored. A new dome, an iconostasis was erected, walls inside and outside were painted. Despite the difficult time, the complete control of the state over the churches of believers became more and more. The policy of atheism failed with a roar. Statistics showed that the number of believers in Volgograd and the Volgograd region is growing every year. In 1980, almost half of the population of the Volgograd region were baptized. On the other hand, the state noted that the treasury was replenished due to churches and temples. After all, people pay money for the funeral, baptism, wedding.
Changes in Church Life
Churches in Volgograd began to revive and take on their splendor only after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Holy Nikitsky Church became a place of visiting the Patriarch of All Russia Alexy. This event occurred in 1993.
Sunday schools began to open in Volgograd, including in the St. Nikita Church in Volgograd. There is also a library in the temple. Church priests attend schools, universities, hospitals, and hospices in order to bring people to faith.
St. Nikita Church is currently
Today, the church on Lavrovaya in Volgograd is a place where people rest with their souls. People come here to baptize children, get married, receive communion, be unified, and simply pray. The church is in good condition. On holidays, a large number of people gather here.
The rector of the St. Nikitsky Church is Archpriest Nikolai Stankov.
Temple Mode
Monday: 07.00 - 18.00;
Tuesday: 07.00 - 18.00;
Wednesday: 07.00 - 18.00;
Thursday: 07.00 - 18.00;
Friday: 07.00 - 18.00;
Saturday: 07.00 - 18.00;
Sunday: 07.00 - 18.00.
St. Nikitsky Church works seven days a week and breaks for lunch.
The church in Volgograd, St. Nikita the Midian, is the oldest religious structure of the city that has survived to our time. She impresses the parishioners with her beauty. People who have visited the church say that when you enter the church you begin to feel peace of mind and God's grace. Many parishioners bring their children and grandchildren here. According to believers, understanding and kind priests work here, ready to come to help at any time.