St. Sergius Church in Livny was built on the Tim River in the middle of the 16th century by Sovereign Fedor Ivanovich. It became a great gift for all Orthodox Christians. It was originally a monastery. Consider this Orthodox building in more detail.
Temple today
Now the territory of the complex of St. Sergius Church in Livny is decorated with two temples and a bell tower. The construction of the central church is equipped with two thrones, consecrated in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin and Sergius of Radonezh.
Seraphim of Sarov became the patron saint of the second temple. Next to this religious memorial flows the Sosna River, there is a place of a holy spring and a font. The address of this temple: the city of Livny, Oryol Region, Sergei Bulgakov Square, Building 15.
Historical facts
The walls of the St. Sergius Church in Livny suffered raids by Zaporizhzhya Cossacks, complete burnout in a fire. This explains the peculiarity that the most ancient buildings are not preserved today. After the fire element, they decided to erect stone walls and a high fence.
The monastery arose before the temple. He was brutally plundered by the hetman Sagaidachny and his Cossacks. Monastic good became their gain.
Thanks to the efforts of indifferent citizens, the new temple building was preserved from destruction at the beginning of the 18th century.
At this time, Archimandrite Alexis (Shcheglov), an outstanding rector, very popular among the people, was appointed rector of the monastery. He rebuilt the temple, updated its decoration. During his reign, the construction of the monastery stone fence, the extension of the chapel of St. Sergius of Radonezh, the construction of the monastery mill, the installation of a clock with a battle at the top of the bell tower were completed.
Achievements of Rector Alexy
Rector Alexy, a great lover of books and just an inquisitive person, arranged a “Russian school” in the walls of the monastery, which was attended by children of representatives of the clergy and philistines. The duration of training ranged from five to seven years.
Boys at this school were taught to read, write, count, sing church songs, write icons.
Upon completion of training, the students had the opportunity to become church clerks or to get the job of a merchant clerk, a petty official.
The abbot had a great gift to bring love to all those around him. Also, this man was very generous and therefore tirelessly engaged in the reconstruction of the temple. At the same time, Alexy was distinguished by a meek disposition.
After the death of Alexy, a legend arose about his grave, which has survived thanks to the records in 1915 of the priest Vasily Ponyatovsky.
Worldly absent-mindedness, disbelief and insensibility, - writes about. Basil in his "History of the Liven Cave" - coldness and petrification of the heart did not give proper attention to the monastery tomb ... They built an ordinary house in this place, and turned the tomb into a cellar so as not to splurge on digging. It must be thought that the former gravestones were demolished, similar to one that miraculously remained in the fence of the St. Sergius Church on the grave of Archimandrite Alexy. That night, when he (the stone) was transferred to the threshold of one house, the owner of this house had such a terrible vision that he immediately returned the stone to its original place in the morning.
This stone can still be seen today at the burial place of Rector Alexy Shcheglov, who has become a worthy example of the extraordinary nature of man.
Later, when excavations were carried out around the temple, a buried, not decaying body was found, on which the priestly vestments were preserved.
Extraordinary event
The middle of the 19th century was marked by a remarkable event that happened in Livny. Sergius Church, it provided a special popularity. By that time, his activities were abolished.
So, in Livny appeared the famous Sergiev Cave. Later, a chapel was erected from above. The cave was discovered by a merchant Tyupin under his own house. Noteworthy events followed. Voices were heard from beneath the ground, a monk's ghost visited the inhabitants. From his lips, the household learned about the ancient monastic burials, which are located in the cellar of the merchant. After the dissemination of such information, crowds of tourists and pilgrims flowed into Livny. The St. Sergius Church in Livny soon acquired a chapel built nearby. Especially for its visitors.
St. Sergius Church in Livny occupies a section of the historic city center. This is an essential part of its architecture and history. The ancient building perfectly decorates the coastal panorama.
The schedule of services in the St. Sergius Church (Livny) is as follows:
- Confession and liturgy - 08:30.
- The evening service begins at 18:00.
A wonderful architectural complex - Sergiev Monastery welcomes visitors. Its doors are open daily.
The Orthodox city welcomes tourists benevolently and invites you to immerse yourself in the cozy atmosphere of an ancient memorial of Orthodoxy. Here breathes peace and kindness. Visit St. Sergius Church in Livny, and the soul will be surprisingly light and light, as if you were back in childhood.