The churches of the capital of Russia are closely connected with the history of the city and the country. Parishioners prayed in them, baptized and buried Muscovites. In the most famous cathedrals, Moscow princes and tsars were crowned and buried. In Orthodox churches in Moscow, they were elevated to the rank of patriarchs and held prayers before military campaigns.
St. Basil's Cathedral
Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat (St. Basil's Cathedral)
The picturesque temple with elegant domes was built in the middle of the 16th century by order of the Russian Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible. The multi-colored domes of the Intercession Cathedral have long become one of the recognizable symbols of Russia. Seeing them, foreigners gasp with delight and rush to take a photo for memory.
For 450 years of history, the ancient cathedral has gone through many troubles. It was supposed to be demolished during the reconstruction of Red Square, but this did not happen. Today the Intercession Cathedral is a functioning Orthodox church and a branch of the State Historical Museum. Every day from 11:00 to 16:00 there are excursions for tourists.
Kazan Cathedral
Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (Kazan Cathedral)
The temple in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, revered in Russia, was erected after the liberation of Moscow from the Poles. Initially, it was a wooden church built with the money of Prince Pozharsky. In 1636, a stone temple appeared.
Kazan Cathedral is famous for the fact that the famous schismatic Archpriest Avvakum served here. In the 1930s, the temple was demolished, and 60 years later it was rebuilt. Today the Kazan Cathedral pleases pilgrims and tourists with its unusual architecture and rich decor.
Temples of the Moscow Kremlin
Cathedral Patriarchal Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assumption Cathedral)
The architectural complex of the Moscow Kremlin is known far beyond the borders of our country. A separate attraction of the Kremlin is ancient cathedrals and temples. Previously, there were many of them, but to this day, 8 churches have survived inside the Kremlin walls.
On the ancient Cathedral Square there are the Archangel, Annunciation and Assumption Cathedrals. Nearby is the tallest building in the Kremlin - the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, which was built at the beginning of the 16th century. There are 34 bells hanging from the bell tower, and each one has its own name. A single complex is made up of the Patriarchal Palace and the Church of the Twelve Apostles.
Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel (Cathedral of the Archangel)
Lovers of Russian architecture like the unusual Verkhospassky Cathedral. Eleven chapters of this church were created as a result of the unification of two temple groups.
Behind the Verkhospassky Cathedral you can see the fruit of the efforts of the Pskov masters of the late 15th century - a small church of the Position of the Robe of the Mother of God in Blachernae. In the complex of the Grand Kremlin Palace, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin on Senyi has been preserved.
Cathedral of Christ the Savior
Cathedral Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ (Cathedral of Christ the Savior)
The memorial temple on Volkhonka is dedicated to the memory of those who fell in the war with Napoleon. The building, designed by the talented architect Konstantin Ton, was built from 1839 to 1881. During the years of the anti-religious campaign, the unique temple was demolished, and a gigantic Palace of the Soviets was to be erected in its place.
Then the war began. In the post-war years, there was little money for grandiose ideas, and an outdoor swimming pool was made on the site of the former temple. The water here was not very clean, it smelled of chlorine, so the residents of the capital did not like the Moskva pool too much. In the 1990s, the city authorities rebuilt the Cathedral of Christ the Savior anew, and today it has the status of a Cathedral.
Yelokhovsky Cathedral
Epiphany Cathedral in Yelokhov (Yelokhovsky Cathedral)
In the Basmanny district of Moscow, a majestic temple of the mid-19th century has been preserved. Before the construction of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Elokhovsky Cathedral was the cathedral of the capital. The main altar of this church is consecrated in honor of the feast of the Epiphany, and its side-altars are in honor of the Annunciation and Nicholas the Wonderworker.
The five-domed Yelokhovsky Cathedral has a height of 56 m, so it can be clearly seen from the surrounding streets. The three-tiered bell tower with 17 bells rises even higher - by 65 m. The main attraction of the cathedral is the neo-Byzantine six-tiered iconostasis with gilded carvings and 65 old icons.
Temple of the Holy Martyr Tatiana
House Church of the Martyr Tatiana, Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov (Church of the Holy Martyr Tatiana)
The home church of Moscow State University stands out among other cathedrals and temples in Moscow. A small building is located in the right wing of the old building of Moscow State University. The student church of Martyr Tatiana was built immediately after the foundation of the university, but has not survived to this day.
The temple, which stands opposite the Manege, appeared in the 1830s. Church services are held there and the Orthodox newspaper Tatianin's Day is published.
Church of the Ascension of the Lord at the Nikitsky Gate
Church of the Ascension of the Lord in the Watchmen, at the Nikitsky Gate (Temple "Great Ascension")
Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin and Natalia Goncharova got married in the church, which is called the "Big Ascension". Initially, it belonged to the Preobrazhensky regiment, and its construction was sponsored by Prince Grigory Potemkin-Tavrichesky.
In 1931, the church was closed to parishioners, the bell tower was destroyed, and the wall paintings by Italian masters were covered with several layers of paint. The old iconostasis was broken and burned. However, 60 years later, history has taken a sharp turn. The temple was restored and returned to the believers.
Temple of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane
Temple of the Prophet of God Elijah in Obydensky lane (Temple of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky lane)
One of the few Moscow churches that have never been closed for divine services stands in the historic district of Moscow - on Ostozhie. At the end of the 16th century, a wooden church appeared on this place, and at the beginning of the 18th century, it was rebuilt in stone at the expense of Moscow merchants.
In the iconostasis you can see two icons painted by the famous royal iconographer of the 17th century Simon Ushakov. The church contains an ark with a piece of the belt of the Most Holy Theotokos and ancient icons from many closed churches and monasteries in Moscow.
Church of Pope Clement
Church of the Holy Martyr Clement, Pope (Church of Pope Clement)
There is an Orthodox church in Moscow, which is dedicated to the primate of the Roman Catholic Church. A beautiful baroque church is hidden away from busy highways - in the quiet Klimentovsky Lane. The temple owes its unusual dedication to the Russian Empress Elizabeth I. The Empress ascended the throne on the feast day of St. Clement and marked this event with the construction of a church.
The bright five-domed temple is a real decoration of Zamoskvorechye. Its luxurious decor resembles the best palace buildings in St. Petersburg and St. Andrew's Church in Kiev.
Church of John the Warrior on Yakimanka
Church of St. John the Warrior on Yakimanka
For more than three centuries, Bolshaya Yakimanka Street has been decorated with a picturesque monument of Russian Baroque. According to legend, the plan of the church was drawn by Peter I. The building began to be built in 1704, and the first service was held 14 years later - in 1718. The ancient temple is named after the architect - Ivan Voin, but the exact name of the talented architect has not survived.
The church with a bright facade and multi-colored mosaic details was built traditionally - "octagon on a quadruple". Throughout its history, it has never been closed to believers. Services were conducted even during the years of active struggle against religion.
Church of St. Martin the Confessor
Church of Saint Martin the Confessor, Pope
One of the masterpieces of Russian architecture can be seen in the center of Moscow, not far from the Taganskaya metro station. The Church of Martin the Confessor is a perfectly preserved monument of mature classicism. In plan the building resembles a Latin cross.The side portals are decorated with columns of the Corinthian order, and a beautiful dome-rotunda rises above them.
A clean spring gushes under the temple, water from which is taken for consecration. The church contains a list of the icon of the Georgian Mother of God and a particle of the relics of the blessed Matrona of Moscow.
Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Kolomenskoye
Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye
The summer residence of the Russian tsars attracts many tourists. People come here to see 400-year-old oaks, go to the memorial museum "House of Peter I", admire the monuments of wooden architecture and take part in folk festivals and festivities.
The pride of the palace village of Kolomenskoye is the tent-roofed church of the Ascension of the Lord. It was built in 1532 and for a long time served as a summer house church where Russian tsars and members of the royal family prayed. An elegant white temple on the right bank of the Moscow River is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Khamovniki
Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Khamovniki
The Church of St. Nicholas stands in the city center, next to the Park Kultury metro station. It was built in the second half of the 17th century in the settlement of the tsarist weavers, who were then called "Khamovniki".
The church in Khamovniki was never closed, so it has survived to this day almost in its original form. The magnificent temple looks like a colorful gingerbread house. It is decorated with ornate kokoshniks, white stone trim and red-green glazed tiles.
Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Putinki
Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Putinki
One of the most beautiful churches in Moscow is located at the turn of Strastnoy Boulevard to Malaya Dmitrovka Street. In the 17th century, the area on the outskirts of the city was called Putinki, since the path to the distant northern lands began from here. Initially, there was a wooden cathedral in Putinki, but in 1652 it was rebuilt in stone.
Very little time passed, and throughout Russia it was forbidden to erect hipped roof churches. The Nativity Church was the last in Moscow, where the old architectural style was used. The church facades are decorated with Russian ornamental patterns, and the white color of the walls effectively sets off small azure domes and golden crosses.
