The Church of the Archangel Michael in Sochi is the first church built in the Black Sea District. The cathedral was built to mark the end of the Caucasian War of 1864. This church, the history of its construction and interesting facts is described in this article.
Temple history
Historians connect the beginning of the construction of the Church of the Archangel Michael in Sochi with the order of the Viceroy of the Caucasus, Grand Duke M.N. Romanov. In the construction of the church, a significant role was played by General D.V. Pilenko, who was the head of the Black Sea District. The temple was built in Dakhovsky Posad, on the spot where the Navaginsky fortification used to be.
Agronomist A.V. Vereshchagin, who was also a state adviser, acted as a developer, while promising to erect a temple with private funds. Initially, all design and construction work was paid by the largest landowner of the Black Sea, N. N. Mamontov.
An architect from Moscow, A. S. Kaminsky, completed the first sketches, and then the design of the Church of the Archangel Michael in Sochi. At the end of May 1874, the solemn laying of the church was carried out.
The construction of the temple
Four years later, the stone walls of the church were completed, and an iron roof was installed in the refectory. A number of different circumstances influenced the duration of the construction of the temple. Thanks to the well-known philanthropist S. I. Mamontov and Count F. F. Sumarokov-Elston in late October 1890 the construction of the church was completed.
A year later, the temple of the Archangel Michael in Sochi in a solemn atmosphere was consecrated. By the beginning of the 20th century, a spiritual center was formed around the cathedral. The parish possessions included:
- Parish school.
- Parish house with various outbuildings.
- Garden and park complex.
- Chapel.
- Bell tower.
- Nursery for plants.
- Two-story church house with an outbuilding.
This whole garden complex was unofficially called the Church Quarter. The completed cathedral and the complex next to it were approved by the Caucasian governorate, and also really liked the locals.
Temple in the 20th century
Before the October Revolution of 1917 in Sochi and the surrounding area of the city there were approximately 20 churches, as well as several monasteries. The changes that took place after the revolution also affected a small resort town. So, in 1929, some representatives of the new government launched a campaign against the Church of the Archangel Michael in Sochi.
In mid-July 1931, the Sochi District Executive Committee decided to ban bell ringing throughout Sochi. And three years later, the complete destruction of the church was initiated.
However, this fate was avoided thanks to one of the parishioners named Alexander. The fact is that during this period she worked in local governments and designed the church and other buildings as premises suitable for storing grain.
A few years later, the temple lost the dome, cross and tent of the bell tower. Then all the premises of the cathedral were turned into warehouses.
Church revival
In 1943, the return of the Russian Orthodox Church to churches, cathedrals and monasteries began in the USSR. Gradually, parish life began to recover in these institutions. At the beginning of November 1943, according to the new schedule of services, the first service was held in the Church of the Archangel Michael in Sochi.
The rector of the church Archpriest Alexander, along with his parishioners, in the same year began to rebuild the temple. The dome was newly built, a cross was installed on it, and the bell tent was also restored. The temple was returned part of its former possessions on Mayachnaya and Ordzhonikidze streets.
In 1981, the cathedral and all buildings on its territory were recognized as historical and architectural monuments and placed under state protection. In 1990, a Sunday school for children and adults begins its work at the cathedral. In the period from 1992 to 1994, restoration was carried out, after which the temple acquired its original appearance.
In 1996, a new temple complex was erected next to the church, which included the Cathedral of the Iveron Icon of Our Lady. Administrative buildings and several buildings for various purposes appeared.
Cathedral now
In 2007, a large-scale restoration and reconstruction began in the temple. The beautiful one-domed cathedral in the eclectic style, as well as the tent-shaped bell tower, was finally completed. A tent chapel with architectural kokoshniks was restored near the temple.
Inside, the church was painted with magnificent frescoes with scenes from the Gospel, as well as the faces of the saints. A magnificent carved iconostasis covered with gold leaf was restored. The updated view of the cathedral is striking in its beauty not only for parishioners, but also for many vacationers.
The address of the Church of the Archangel Michael in Sochi is ul. Moskvina, 12. However, it is impossible not to notice this beautiful temple, since it is located in the very center of the city, near the Mayak beach and the stele with the monument to Archangel Michael, who is the patron saint of the city.
Schedule of services in the Church of the Archangel Michael in Sochi: daily from 8-30 to 19-00, except for the cleaning day, which is warned in advance. On major Orthodox holidays, the schedule changes slightly.
Once in this beautiful resort town, having a rest and enjoying its nature, you should definitely visit the Church of the Archangel Michael, which will amaze you not only with its amazing beauty, but also with its history.