The temples of Pskov are the richest heritage of several eras, which can be explored and considered endlessly, constantly finding new features. This article is devoted to the review and description of several churches.
Attractions Overview
The temples of Pskov are open for visits and research. Among them, the following structures can be distinguished:
- the temple in honor of Nicholas the Wonderworker, located in the area of Usokha
- Baptist Church;
- Pskov Church and St. Nicholas Church at the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery;
- Varlaam Khutynsky Church, located in the Zvanitsa district;
- Church of Christ's Resurrection;
- Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel;
- Temple of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from the Stone Fence;
- Assumption Cathedral at the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery;
- Annunciation Church and St. Michael's Cathedral;
- temple of the Lord Ascension;
- Trinity Cathedral;
- Church of the Lord Epiphany in Zapskovye;
- Church of St. George the Victorious
And this is not a complete list of Pskov temples, which are of interest not only to believers, but also to researchers. We offer a description of some of them.
Temple of Alexander Nevsky in Pskov
This church has an interesting and sad story, which begins with its high-speed construction. This Pskov temple was erected in just fourteen months. The lighting ceremony took place at the beginning of the 20th century. This time was a period of destruction, when many shrines were forever lost. The church was no exception and suffered greatly. Its restoration began only in the 21st century.
Today in the church, work is being carried out to educate the population, military personnel are being brought up who are instilled with a love of the motherland. They also publish periodicals, there is a rich library, which Archpriest Oleg began to collect. There are records on which the chants of Moscow and St. Petersburg choral groups have been preserved.
Relics
In this temple in Pskov, you can get acquainted with the rarest shrines, rarities that are stored in it. Among the collections, the book of the Old Testament, which was owned by Sovereign Nicholas II, should be separately noted. On the pages of this publication are preserved notes of the emperor. Here is stored cassock, owned by John of Kronstadt. The goddess was brought from St. Petersburg, you can also find images of the Virgin Mary, Christ, the Kazan Mother of God. Also among the exhibits are many more sacred objects.
The museum collection of the Alexander Nevsky Church in Pskov lists copies of not only ancient and recognized shrines, but also examples of contemporary genre art. Here are exhibited drawings that are made by the hands of children attending Sunday school at the temple. The collection was supplemented by modern icon painters and pilgrims.
Pskovo-Pechersky Monastery
One of the most famous and largest male monasteries in Russia with a rich history dating back centuries. Its name is associated with caves, which are called "God created," that is, created by God. This is a complex of unique buildings, one of which is located in a cave.
Temples of the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery:
- Assumption Cave (Intercession) Church - is the first monastery church created by Jonah. It was consecrated in 1473. At this building you can see only the facade from the outside. All other parts of the building go down into the underground caves.
- St. Michael's Cathedral is the largest building on the territory of the monastery, its height reaches 32 meters. Years of construction - 1815-1827. The temple in the style of classicism was erected in honor of the liberation of the city from Napoleon.
- Church of St. Nicholas Goalkeeper, built in 1564. Probably, the gate church for some period of time served as the entrance to the monastery - the holy gate.
- Sretenskaya church is a pseudo-Russian style church, built in 1541 and rebuilt in 1870.
In addition to the monastery there are:
- The Great Belfry is the main bell tower of the monastery, built of stone. Its construction was started in 1523. It is one of the largest structures of this type.
- Sacristy, or Big Treasury. It stores precious salaries of icons, vestments, shirts, crosses and utensils of gold and silver, gifts made to the monastery by kings and emperors, robes.
- Holy sources. There are two of them in the monastery. One is named after Cornelius (Rev. Martyr). The second source (artesian) is also known as life-giving and is named after the icon of the Mother of God. In 1911, a hexagonal chapel was erected above it.
To summarize
Pskov is famous for its temples. These shrines can be visited by visitors who wish to take a closer look at the sights of the ancient city. The building of the church of Alexander Nevsky contains a collection of books and historical monuments. In this church you can leave a donation that will be given to the soldiers.
The temples of the Pskov-Pechersky monastery are several buildings, each of which is distinguished by its expressive features. These churches have collected the country's history, which clearly reflects the heyday and persecution of the Orthodox faith. Today, these religious monuments of the past are being restored and maintained in their proper form.