Among the old Moscow churches, the Church of Elias the Ordinary enjoys special worship and love among parishioners. Since the 16th century, it has existed, serving as a support and support for believers at various times in their lives. A large number of shrines, with which the temple is rich, fills the House of God with a special bright energy, charging which every person who comes here feels an influx of physical and mental strength, peace and tranquility.
First buildings
The Church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane is a special place. This amazingly
beautiful building organically blends in with the surrounding landscape, ennobling and aesthetizing the surroundings. The earliest Christian church in Russia, still Kievan, was dedicated to Saint Elijah. The
Obydensky church, which is one of the parish organizations of the metropolitan Orthodox diocese, is also associated with it.
The history of the building is unusual and interesting. After all, it belongs to the oldest buildings of ancient Moscow. The first temple of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane was built of wood in just one day, or, in Old Russian, “everyday life”. There were then craftsmen in Russia! This happened during a period of severe drought, and the people, who always believed in their beloved patron saintly, relied on his help now. The construction dates back to about 1592, and the area itself was called Skorodomnaya. Here, once a forest was rafted on water, and Muscovites, using the convenient crossing and delivery of materials, hastily set up their dwellings, so that later they could move houses to more convenient areas of the city. The Church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane gave the name to the streets leading to it - Iliinsky. Renamed in the present they were later.
Protection of Holy Russia
The church was loved not only by the inhabitants of the surrounding area. People flocked here from all over Moscow for Orthodox holidays. And on ordinary days, she was never empty. In historical documents, the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane is often mentioned. Prayers are held here for many significant events related to the domestic and foreign policy activities of the Russian rulers.
If there were prolonged rains or long dry land, a procession was held in the name of the saint from the Kremlin, led by the tsar-priest and the primates of the Russian Church. It is no coincidence that it was Obydensky Lane, the Church of Elijah the Prophet, that became the places where the clergy, together with the people's militia, headed by Minin and Pozharsky, prayed to the Most High and saints for help in the military business. We are talking about the era of the Time of Troubles, the Polish intervention and the protection of Moscow from invaders. On August 24, 1612, after a prayer service, a decisive battle took place, ending with the victory of Russian weapons.
Second birth
At the very beginning of the 18th century, the old church building was demolished. In its place, a stone was built. The current church of Elijah the Prophet in Moscow has retained mainly its old architectural appearance. Funds for the construction of it were provided by Gabriel and Vasily Derevniny. In memory of them, marble
memorial boards are installed in the church
. Further construction work continued into the next century. The building was updated, supplemented with new aisles. Since then, there has been a constant worship service. And in times difficult for the House of God, when the authorities wanted to close it, the parishioners did not allow it. For example, about 4 thousand people defended the church in 1930.
Shrines of the temple
The main chapel of the temple is dedicated to Elijah the Prophet. Additional - to saints Peter and Paul, martyrs Anna the Prophet and Simeon the God-Receiver. Among the most significant of its shrines are, first of all, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, which is called "Unexpected Joy." The image of the
Holy Trinity, before which the folk heroes Minin and Pozharsky prayed, is also extremely important for Christians. Lists of such famous icons as the Kazan, Vladimir and Fedorov Mother of God, the Savior Not Made by Hand, give their healing power to the afflicted. Particles of the
relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh and Seraphim of Sarov also attract pilgrims from all over the country. The doors of the temple are open for everyone from 8 am to 10 pm daily.