Photos and descriptions of existing churches in Nizhny Novgorod. Churches and temples of Nizhny Novgorod Old Believer Church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary

It seems to me that for everyone the issue of religion and faith is delicate and very intimate, and its choice depends on purely personal prejudices. Having studied it well enough, I concluded that it is a multinational city in which not only Christianity is practiced, but also Islam, Judaism and the Old Believers, which are represented by numerous temples, churches, mosques, and synagogues. Therefore, I want to divide my objective story on this topic into several parts, each of which will depend on a particular religion.

Christian churches

In the capital of the Volga region - Nizhny Novgorod, however, as in all large cities, Christianity is represented by three directions: Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism. But despite the development of Catholicism and Protestantism, Orthodoxy occupies a leading position in the city both from a historical and practical point of view.

Orthodox churches

The Nizhny Novgorod Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church predominantly covered the entire city and region. Significant modern and ancient churches and temples are located in the upper and lower parts of Nizhny Novgorod. There is no doubt that each temple deserves special attention and study, because in the city alone there are more than 100 of them, and most of them represent the historical and cultural heritage of the city. Therefore, I will list, in my opinion, the most picturesque, tourist-attracting and important Orthodox places in the city.

Cathedral in the name of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky

In my opinion, the most beautiful Cathedral in the city, both in terms of external and internal decoration. The temple was founded at the end of the 19th century and has a rich history. Everything happened here for political and military reasons, even a fire that could destroy all the paintings on the walls. Nevertheless, even after restoration, the cathedral remains a historical heritage of the city, in the premises of which you can feel an extraordinary atmosphere, allowing you to tune in to the right thoughts and be alone with yourself in a busy part of the city. Here you can experience the sacrament of baptism or wedding, attend Sunday school or a school of bell art, take catechetical courses, order icons from a workshop, or simply attend services and light candles. You can get information about opening hours and upcoming services on the official website.

Address: Kanavinsky district, st. Strelka, 3a. The nearest ground transport stop is Strelka, metro station is Moskovskaya.

Cathedral of the Archangel Michael

The Cathedral of the Archangel Michael occupies one of the most advantageous locations in the city, because it is located on the territory of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. The temple is rightfully considered the oldest cathedral. Its history begins in 1221 and coincides with the founding of Nizhny Novgorod itself. On Sundays there is a school for children and adults. And on the official website of the Cathedral you can familiarize yourself not only with the schedule of services and religious events, but also find useful tips: for example, recipes for meatless dishes.

Address: Nizhny Novgorod district, Kremlin, 2a. Ground transport - stop "Minin and Pozharsky Square", metro station - "Gorkovskaya".

Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Or in another way, people also call it - Rozhdestvenskaya or Stroganovskaya, in honor of the Stroganov merchants, with whose money it was built. The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a real architectural monument, with which the name of the Nizhny Novgorod inventor Ivan Kulibin, who managed to repair the “astronomical” clock on the church bell tower, is closely connected. The church is famous for the fact that it houses the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. There is a women's religious school, a singing school and, like many other churches, a Sunday school.

Address: Nizhny Novgorod district, st. Rozhdestvenskaya, 34. The nearest stop is Nizhnevolzhskaya Embankment.

Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist

And again, before us is one of the most ancient churches in Nizhny Novgorod, the first mentions of which go back to the ancient 15th century. The temple is located on People's Unity Square, a popular place among local residents and guests of the city - under the Kremlin, next to the monument to Minin and Pozharsky. For a detailed schedule of services and all the information you are interested in, check out the official website of the temple.

Address: Nizhny Novgorod district, Rozhdestvenskaya st., 1b. The nearest stop is “Rozhdestvenskaya”.

Church in honor of the Smolensk and Vladimir Icons of the Mother of God

Gordeevskaya and Smolensk churches were built in the Russian Baroque style by the same industrial figure of the past, Grigory Stroganov. The parish is an object cultural heritage city ​​and also has rich history, which you can read in detail on the official website of the church.

Address: Kanavinsky district, st. Gordeevskaya, 141a, building 1. The nearest bus stop is “2nd microdistrict of Meshcherskoye Lake”, tram stop is “Smolenskaya Church”, metro station is “Moskovskaya”.

Transfiguration Cathedral

The main Orthodox cathedral of the center of Sormovo, which dates back to 1905. Check out the schedule of daily services and conversations before weddings and baptisms on the website of the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolis.

Address: Sormovsky district, Shcherbakova st., 15a. The nearest stop is “Sormovo Center”.

Church in the name of the Most Merciful Savior

An ancient functioning temple with beautiful interior decoration. Located in the mountainous part of the city, almost in its very center. The history of its creation is closely connected with the family of Emperor Alexander 3rd. On the official website you can find useful Orthodox information, watch videos from the life of the church, and also get acquainted with the schedule of services.

Address: Nizhny Novgorod district, st. M. Gorky, 177a. The nearest stop is Belinsky.

Transfiguration Church

The most famous church in the lower part of the city, popularly called Karpovskaya, as it is located in the Karpovsky microdistrict. Its discovery took place at the beginning of the 19th century. At the moment, in addition to divine services, there is a Sunday school, a parish choir, a Bible club, poetry, patriotic and film clubs.

Address: Leninsky district, Suzdalskaya street, 58. The nearest ground transport stop is “Karpovskaya Church”, metro station is “Proletarskaya”.

Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord Sloboda Pechery

One of the most beautiful white stone churches is located on the territory of the Pechersk Monastery. Its history goes back 2 centuries and is directly related to Pecherskaya Sloboda and the events that took place in the past.

Address:Nizhny Novgorod district, Sloboda Pechery st., 124. The nearest stop is “Holy Well” or “Bear Valley Microdistrict”.

Temple of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos Tenderness

A modern temple on the territory of the Molitovka microdistrict, Leninsky district. Until recently, the church operated out of a converted train carriage. But already at the end of 2011, the protracted construction of the modern temple building was completed. On the official website you will find current schedule services, an electronic Orthodox library, a lot of other interesting information on the topic of child baptism and weddings, and you can also ask a question to a priest or rector.

Address: Leninsky district, Dargomyzhskogo str., 13 B. The nearest tram stop is “Creativity Development Center”, bus stop is “Volga Brewery” or “Komsomolskaya Square”.

Temple in honor of the Council of the Archangel Michael and other forces of the Ethereal

Located on the very outskirts of the Avtozavodsky district, near Strigino airport, the new temple, built at the end of 2014, leaves the most unforgettable sensations. The whole atmosphere of the church is literally filled with love, kindness and light. This is one of the few quiet places where you want to come again and again! Services are held every day at 8:30 and 16:00.

Address: Avtozavodsky district, st. Monchegorskaya, 17a/3. The nearest bus stop is “Cosmic” or “Monchegorsky shopping center”.

St. Nicholas Cathedral

Another cathedral, located in the lower part of the city and built in our time. The cathedral complex includes a parish in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and a parish in honor of the martyr Tatiana, as well as an educational center whose task is to introduce and tell citizens about Orthodox culture.

Address: Avtozavodsky district, Dyakonova st., 15a. The nearest stop is St. Nicholas Cathedral.

Old Believer Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

It ranks second after Moscow in terms of the prevalence of Old Believers, and several tens of thousands of Old Believers live throughout the region. The temple is located at the Bugrovsky cemetery and, along with others, is no less important and historical place cities.

Address: Sovetsky district, Pushkin St., 34. The nearest tram stop is “Artelnaya”, bus stop is “Factory named after. Ostrovsky."

Orthodox Monasteries of Nizhny Novgorod

Below I will list all the active monasteries in the city:

Holy Cross Convent

The convent has an interesting history spanning two whole centuries, but only since 2004, almost a hundred years later, monastic life begins anew in the monastery. To learn more about the history, schedule of services, as well as the rules for entering monasticism, read the official website.

Address: Sovetsky district, Oksky Congress, 2b. The nearest tram stop is “Malaya Yamskaya”, the bus stop is “Ploshchad Lyadova”.

Ascension Pechersk Monastery

The Pechersky Monastery dates back to the 14th century, and in addition to residential buildings, the monastery complex includes:

• Ascension Cathedral;
• Assumption Church;
• Euthymius Church;
• Church and Paul;
• A museum displaying religious objects from the past.

Address: Nizhny Novgorod district, Privolzhskaya Sloboda, 108. The nearest stop is Sennaya bus station.

Annunciation Monastery

This is where an indescribable view of the Oka River opens up, on the territory of the Annunciation Monastery! The past of the monastery is closely connected with the history of the founding of Nizhny Novgorod and dates back to 1221. Its complex includes 4 white stone churches and 1 cathedral. Divine services are held daily in the Annunciation Cathedral and Alekseevsky Church. You can learn more about the life and history of the monastery on the official website.

Address: Nizhny Novgorod district, Melnichny lane, 8. The nearest stop is “Blagoveshchenskaya Square”.

Catholic churches

Catholicism in Nizhny Novgorod is represented by a single parish:

Roman Catholic Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The history of the parish dates back to the mid-19th century and at the moment this is the third Catholic church in the city of Nizhny Novgorod. The first was destroyed in the 30s of the 20th century, and the premises in which the second was located were given over to the use of another organization that had nothing to do with religious activities. Currently, the Roman Catholic parish is located in the historical monument house in which the merchant Mikhail Shchelokov lived. The church operates a charity center called Caritas, which provides social assistance to those in need. On the official website of the Parish you can get acquainted with all the information in more detail.

Address: Nizhny Novgorod district, Studenaya st., 10b. The nearest ground transport stop is “Diagnostic Center”, metro station is “Gorkovskaya”.

Protestant churches

In Nizhny Novgorod, the third branch of Christianity - Protestantism - is represented by a religious organization of the evangelical direction - "Cornerstone", which was registered quite recently in 2006. The organization mainly provides assistance and moral support to drug and alcohol addicts, the homeless, and carries out socially significant projects. All information is presented in detail on the official website of the organization.

Address: Sormovsky district, 50 let Pobedy, 18, office 300. The nearest stop is “Koltsova Square”.

Muslim mosques

Islam in Nizhny Novgorod is widely developed and represented by an organization of religious significance - Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Nizhny Novgorod region and, perhaps, in terms of its prevalence in the city, it ranks second after Orthodoxy. Under the auspices of the Spiritual Administration there are:

• Nizhny Novgorod Islamic Institute;
• secondary educational institution;
• youth movement;
• Sunday School;
• Publishing House;
• and, of course, mosques.

Nizhny Novgorod Cathedral Mosque

A significant leading spiritual place for all Muslims of Nizhny Novgorod and the Nizhny Novgorod region is located almost in the very center of the city, on Sennaya Square. The opening of the mosque took place in 1915 and, like most religious sites in Nizhny Novgorod, in the middle of the 20th century it underwent some difficulties: the building began to be used for military purposes, but already in 1988 the mosque again belonged to Muslims. Learn more about the rules of behavior in the mosque and other interesting information related to Islam you can visit the official website.

Address: Nizhny Novgorod district, Kazanskaya Embankment, 6. The nearest stop is “Sennaya Square”.

Tawba Mosque

The Tauba Mosque was opened relatively recently in 2001 and is located in a quiet residential neighborhood in the lower part of the city.

Address: Avtozavodsky district, Melnikova street, 7. The nearest stop is “Gazovskaya”.

Nizhny Novgorod Cathedral Mosque named after Mufti Abdulvahid Soleimani

A small mosque located in the Krasnaya Etna microdistrict of the Leninsky district. The number of parishioners at Friday prayers does not exceed 100 people, and on weekdays - even five.

Address: Leninsky district, Izhevskaya st., 42a. The nearest tram stop is “Rostovskaya”, the bus stop is “Donbasskaya”.

Jewish synagogues

It is worth noting here the religious organization of Orthodox Judaism - Nizhny Novgorod Jewish Community, which consists of 10 thousand people, and its history goes back a little more than a century and a half. The synagogue occupies a central place in the community. All traditional rituals of Judaism take place within its walls, a mikveh operates, and humanitarian and material assistance to those in need is widely developed.

Address: Nizhny Novgorod district, Gruzinskaya st., 5a. The nearest tram stop is “Bolshaya Pokrovskaya”, bus stop is “Gorky Square”, metro station is “Gorkovskaya”.

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Here many can argue with me, but in conclusion I want to say that no matter what faith you profess, the most important thing is to show kindness, humanity and tolerance towards others, because God is one, only everyone has their own path on the way to him.

And therefore, his monasteries have always been strongly influenced by the Moscow Patriarchate and received significant support from the royal treasury. These monasteries were founded many centuries ago, and in their time have survived raids by enemy troops, devastating fires, and sacrifices from the state. Today, three monasteries have been preserved within the urban area - two for men and one for women. All of them are part of the Nizhny Novgorod diocese.

The origins of monastic asceticism

In 1221, the warriors of the Vladimir prince conquered the Obran Osh fortress, located at the mouth of the Oka. It was an outpost and customs house of the medieval Mordovian state of Erzyan Mastor. Having arrived in these places, the Russians founded their own fortification here, which laid the foundation for Nizhny Novgorod.

In those days, the Orthodox faith had already spread quite widely throughout Russian villages and cities. And, naturally, in the new lands the settlers began to convert the local residents to Christianity. By that time, the Erzya had developed ideas about the world order that were similar to many other peoples. They believed that the soul is the bearer of life, and were convinced that after death it goes to afterworld- “tonachi”. Therefore, in many ways, the inculcation of Christian values ​​in the Nizhny Novgorod lands occurred naturally, in a non-violent way. Although there were frequent military clashes between Russians and Mordovians over the possession of certain territories.

At the initial stage of the development of Orthodoxy in Rus', wandering monks were a common occurrence. Those who literally sought faith “in the world” walked along the roads and preached, as best they could, the foundations of Christianity. In some places they united into monastic communities. This is how the history of the Pechersk Monastery began.

But most often, Orthodox monasteries were founded by local princes. They were used as fortresses that could help defend new cities from enemy attacks, and at the same time as centers for the spread of the Christian faith. This is how the Annunciation Monastery appeared, built primarily to strengthen the defense of the city from the river.

Annunciation Monastery

View of the Annunciation Monastery from the Kanavinsky Bridge

The history of the creation of the monastery is closely intertwined with the founding of the city. They appeared almost simultaneously - in 1221. Therefore, the Annunciation Monastery is rightfully considered the oldest Christian monastery in Nizhny Novgorod.

The initiators of the construction of the monastery-fortress were the clergy, in particular the head of the Vladimir diocese - Bishop Simon, and Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich, on whose shoulders fell the difficult work of arranging a new Russian settlement at the mouth of the Oka River.

Christianization of the surrounding lands was not easy. The Mordovian prince Purgas did not want to put up with the loss of the vast territories that belonged to him and the conversion of local residents to the Orthodox faith. In 1229, in response to invading Russian troops, he raided the city and burned the new monastery to the ground.

In the 14th century, the monastery received the patronage of the Moscow Metropolitan and quickly began to turn into a large feudal economy. She received help not only from the Moscow treasury. Nizhny Novgorod merchants, artisans and ordinary townspeople donated to the monastery's needs. Some brought food for the monks. Others supplied the monastery with the necessary building materials and repaired dilapidated buildings.

The construction of the Nizhny Novgorod (Makaryevskaya) Fair breathed new life into the Annunciation Monastery. The monastery was located directly opposite the entrance to the fair and attracted many pilgrims and donors. Nowadays, on the territory of the revived monastery you can see Blagoveshchensky cathedral

and the Assumption Church, built in the 17th century, as well as the Alekseevsky Church, which housed a planetarium during the years of Soviet power.

There is also the recently restored small church of St. Sergius of Radonezh and the Gremyachiy Klyuch spring, to which many Nizhny Novgorod residents go.

The monastery is located not far from the Kanavinsky Bridge, at house 8 on Melnichny Lane.

The first convent appeared near the mouth of the Pochaina in the 14th century. It was founded by the widow of the Nizhny Novgorod prince Anastasia. Despite the high title and wealth, this woman was not destined to know the joys of motherhood. When her husband died, the princess lived in peace for four years, and then took monastic vows under the name Theodore and began to live in the new Conception Monastery.

The monastery was small and wooden and often burned in fires. In addition, near the mouth of the Pochayna there were many springs, and The groundwater destroyed the foundations of the monastery buildings. Finally, in the middle of the 18th century, the nuns were allowed to move closer to the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. The monastery began to be called St. George's, as it stood close to the St. George's Tower.

In 1764, after a large-scale church reform that affected almost all Russian churches and monasteries, several small Nizhny Novgorod convents were united into one monastery. The new monastic community began to be called Holy Cross.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the monastery moved from the Kremlin to a new, more convenient location, located near the Kazan cemetery. The city authorities also made sure that the old monastery church was dismantled, transported to a new location and rebuilt. Within two years, several more stone buildings were built here, where the nuns and their abbess began to live. After the main arrangement was completed, a beautiful cathedral, reminiscent of the famous Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

The revival of the women's monastery began in the early 2000s. Today there are daily services, a Sunday school and a medical aid station for nuns, clergy and local residents.

The monastery is located in house 2 along Oksky Congress.

Pechersky Ascension Monastery

Pechersky Monastery from a bird's eye view

For almost seven centuries, the Ascension Pechersky Monastery has stood on the steep right bank of the Volga. Initially, it was located one and a half kilometers from here and began with a cave dug on the shore by Saint Dionysius of Suzdal. The monk came to these places from Kyiv and settled on the approach to Nizhny Novgorod. He led a solitary life, had little contact with people and mostly spent time praying in a cave. However, soon other Orthodox wanderers began to settle near Dionysius, and in the late 1320s a monastic community was formed here.

At the end of the 14th century, Horde troops repeatedly burned the monastery. However, each time he recovered. But in 1597 such destruction occurred, after which it was decided to move the monastery to another place. They were caused neither by a fire or an enemy, but by a natural disaster - a giant landslide. A week before the collapse, the soil around the monastery began to partially collapse, and the abbot of the monastery realized that trouble could not be avoided. Thanks to him, not a single monk died, and all the icons and valuable utensils were removed from the buildings ahead of time. The subsequent landslide was so strong that even the Volga partially changed its course.

The Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul began to be built back in 1776, after the Senate issued a decree on November 17, 1771, which prohibited burying people at churches in the city. Therefore, all cemeteries were moved outside the city. In Nizhny Novgorod, the territory behind the Varvarskaya Zastava was allocated for cemeteries, where a chapel was built, after which the construction of a stone church began.

Construction work was completed in 1781, after which the chapel was consecrated in honor of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Tsars Helen and Constantine, the second chapel was consecrated in 1783 in honor of St. Peter of Alexandria and Basil of Paria.

Nowadays, repair and restoration work is being carried out in the temple.

Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God

In 1697, a major merchant-industrialist, Count Stroganov Grigory Dmitrievich, built a church in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God on the territory of his estate in Nizhny Novgorod Gordeevka. In 1683, on December 22, this place was consecrated by Metropolitan Trefilius. After the Stroganovs moved to Moscow in 1705, the church became a parish.

The Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God was built in the Russian Baroque style. It has a main gilded dome with a cross and four small domes covered with dark green tiles. Rich white stone carvings adorn the pediments and columns of the Corinthian order. There is a bell tower above the central entrance. Thanks to two tiers of wide windows, the main hall is always bright.

In 1908, near the church in honor of the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God, the temple of the Vladimir Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built.

The Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God is Orthodox Church Nizhny Novgorod diocese, which is still active today.

Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh

The Church of Sergius of Radonezh in the village of Tepelevo, Nizhny Novgorod region, is one of many consecrated in honor of the venerable wonderworker. It was built in 1860, on the site of the Sergius Monastery that once existed here. Now there is a stone five-domed temple in the Russian-Byzantine style designed by the architect R. Ya. Kilevein. IN Soviet time the building housed the city Union of Artists, and in 2003 the church was returned to the believers; in addition to the main altar, two chapels were consecrated: Seraphim of Sarov and Zosima, Savvaty and German Solovetsky.

Church of the Transfiguration

The Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in the Pecherskaya Sloboda of Nizhny Novgorod is one of the Christian values ​​of the region. Built according to the design of the architect Ananyin instead of the burnt wooden St. Nicholas Church, which was previously part of the Pechersky Monastery located here, moved at the end of the 16th century. to another place due to landslides. The church itself is currently made of stone with the Nikolsky, Bogoslovsky and Joasaph chapels.

Church of Macarius of Zheltovodsk

In 1808, a small Makaryevskaya Church was built on the site of the old dilapidated church. The Church of Macarius of Zheltovodsk was built in the spirit of classicism and is connected to the Trinity Cathedral by a colonnade of the Tuscan order.

Church of the Holy Martyr Tatiana

The Church of the Holy Martyr Tatiana is a unique example of wooden Russian architecture.

The Church of the Great Martyr Tatiana is part of an Orthodox complex, which also includes the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (stone) and the home-type church of Seraphim of Sarov.

The church is relatively young - it was erected in 1998 and named after Saint Tatiana, who is the patroness of spiritual enlightenment in Rus'.

The church project was created by Yu. Kartsev. The parish operates an Orthodox educational center, as well as a Sunday school for children.

Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

The Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was founded in the village of Chernorechye. Initially, the building was wooden, consecrated in 1751, 23 years have passed since this event and the church was dismantled during the Pugachev events, the reason is currently unknown.

In 1779 it was re-installed with donations from parishioners.

There was a strong fire in the village, which also took away the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, after which the church began to be built anew, this time from brick. After construction, it was illuminated in 1852,

Financing for the new building was provided by a resident of Orenburg.

The church has three altars, the first central one, in the name of the Kazan Mother of God, and the final chapel northern and southern altars, the northern one is made in honor of the Archangel Michael and the southern one - the Nativity of the Baptist John.

In 1937, it was closed again, and the building began to serve as a warehouse for storing grain, after which the temple was given to the Orthodox community in the 20th century.

Seventh Day Adventist Church

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is an international spiritual society that occupies a leading position in modern Adventism.

The formation of the church took place in the nineteenth century and was associated with the work of Ellen White. Its concept illuminates more than 2 thousand prophetic visions acquired from God, which were recorded and subsequently became widely copied. The authority of these texts is considered controversial by current researchers. But for Seventh-day Adventists, Ellen White's predictions are so sacred that they can be compared with the Bible.

The decoration of the church differs significantly from Orthodox churches. The color of the walls is uniform, light. A large number of stained glass windows allow light to enter the building. Seating and a piano are hallmarks of a Lutheran church. Entrance to the church is not limited. First of all, the community wants to acquaint those interested with its religion, which includes many prohibitions, for example, dietary prohibitions.

Karpov Church

Believing parishioners and curious tourists should definitely visit the old stone church in the village of Karpovka.

In 1722, a wooden church was built in the village for the first time. But as a result of numerous fires, at the beginning of the 19th century they began to build a temple of brick and white stone. The architectural issue was taken up by Ivan Mezhetsky, who is known for the use of simple and strict forms and restraint in the decorative design of buildings. The entrances to the church are decorated with pilasters and decorated with triangular pediments. It is impossible to take your eyes off the windows of the temple, which are decorated in a wonderful relief way, and the beauty of the facade lies in the oval niches inscribed in rectangles.

Throughout time, the temple has undergone frequent reconstruction, but at the moment the bell tower is well preserved. The central parts are decorated with arches and frescoes depicting the Holy Trinity, the Transfiguration and the Ascension of the Lord. The dome of the Karpov Church was replaced with a five-domed one.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the church was again updated: the interior of the temple was complemented by drawings by M. Nesterov and V. Vasnetsov.

Church in the name of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

The temple in honor of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God in the village of Velikiy Enemy is one of the oldest, which inevitably connects it with the most important milestones in the history of Russia. During this time, the temple experienced a lot: it was either rebuilt again, or completely ceased to exist.

It was erected on the Velikovrazhskaya male desert of the Moscow Simonov Monastery. This place was once visited by both Ivan the Terrible and Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich. As a reminder of his visit, Grozny left here an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. And at the request of Mikhail Fedorovich, an icon of the Kazan Mother of God was installed in the temple.

But the parish was formed only in 1764, which burned down 13 years later during a strong fire that destroyed all the monastery buildings. Only 11 years later, parishioners built a small wooden church on this site, which almost half a century later was dismantled for firewood, since due to its dilapidation it was dangerous to hold services. In 1792, the village residents erected a temple with one altar, which exists today. It was consecrated in honor of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God. No services were held from 1937 to 1944.

Currently, the temple is a rare type of church, since its architecture has preserved the features of ancient Russian wooden architecture.

Nativity Stroganov Church

The Nativity Stroganov Church was built in 1696-1719. This is perhaps one of the most beautiful churches located on the territory of Nizhny Novgorod.

Everyone who has seen this temple at least once inevitably compares it to a precious carved box. It is unique in its interior decoration, externally it is an elegant white stone carving of vines, pomegranates, apples, flowers and intricate curls that densely decorate the walls.

A tall and slender bell tower was erected near the temple. It is impossible to take your eyes off the first tier of the bell tower - it is designed in the form of a triumphal arch and is the main main entrance to the church.

The “astronomical” clock that crowns the bell tower of the temple deserves special attention. The appearance of this watch is preceded by a story about how 15-year-old inventor Ivan Kulibin himself repaired the mechanism of an ancient watch.

After lengthy repairs, the ancient clock was repaired and installed under the dome of the bell tower. After 30 minutes of each hour, the clock rings the bell. The interesting thing is that for the clock to work continuously, it needs to be wound twice a week.

In our time, the Stroganov Church has become a place of constant pilgrimage and has been given the status of an architectural monument of federal significance.

Church in honor of St. Alexy Metropolitan of Moscow

After 50 years after the consecration, two more chapels were added to the Alekseevsky Church, in which well-known enlighteners and ascetics, who had previously rested in the Annunciation Monastery in Nizhny Novgorod, were subsequently buried. The graves were decorated with elegant bronze and gilded fences; white marble slabs were installed above the crypts, on which epitaphs were carved.

After the revolution, the Alekseevsky Church was closed and transferred to the 17th Infantry Division along with other churches. In 1948, a planetarium was placed here, while the small domes were demolished, the light drum in the center was lowered and the eastern part of the wall was destroyed along with the entrance gates and towers.

At the beginning of the 21st century, in accordance with the Ilyinskaya Sloboda program, a decision was made to restore and revive the Alekseevsky Church, and three years later, it was restored. Currently, the Alekseevskaya Church is a striking example of the skill of restorers; it again amazes everyone with its beauty and is almost the main decoration of Nizhny Novgorod.

Church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God of Joy of All Who Sorrow

The church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God of Joy of All Who Sorrow was consecrated in 1896, and was re-consecrated in 2005.

This church with a private hospital was created at the end of the 18th century by order of a charity society. Initially, all the buildings were wooden; later, in the 20s of the 19th century, new stone buildings were erected.

The church in honor of the icon of the Mother of God is a rather unique architectural and artistic structure with a complex three-domed completion of the bell tower and prayer hall. There are five bells located under the tiers of the central tower of the bell tower.

The structure of the temple is interesting due to its stylization of ancient Russian architecture - this can be seen in the shape of the roof in the form of a barrel, the cornice is made in false machicles, and the windows have keeled platbands.

Transfiguration Church

The Transfiguration Church is located in Nizhny Novgorod in the village of Simbilei, built in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord in 1850, it houses one altar. The building was built on the estate of the Orlov-Demidov nobles.

Entering the church, pay attention to the architecture made in a Western style; white stone is laid in the preserved walls and window openings. The towers of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior look beautiful and unusual from the outside; they look more like observatory towers than ringing bells.

On the western side of the tower there is a platform and a room with a beautiful view of the park, which was previously used for recreation.

Also inside you will see the presence of the Gothic style, the church was painted in the Italian style, the iconostasis was brought from London.

In 1970, there was a fire in the church; according to local residents, the culprits were village boys. Today the temple is badly destroyed.

Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist in Torg

The Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist on Torg is one of the most famous churches in Nizhny Novgorod, mentioned since the 14th century, when Kuzma Minin addressed a speech to the residents of the city from its porch.

Initially, the church was wooden, and the stone building was erected in 1683; the construction was carried out by the merchant brothers Gabriel and Lavrenty Dranishnikov.

In the 19th century, due to active construction work, the drainage system was disrupted and groundwater began to erode the foundation of the church. Subsequently, the temple underwent lengthy repairs and reconstruction, which significantly changed its appearance. During the Soviet years, a completely different institution was located in the church building.

In the 90s of the 20th century, the church was transferred to the Nizhny Novgorod diocese. In 2004, restoration work began, during which the temple was restored to its unique appearance, lost over the past centuries.

Church in honor of St. Sergius Hegumen of Radonezh

The church in honor of St. Sergius Hegumen of Radonezh is located in the city of Nizhny Novgorod. It was founded on this site at the end of the 16th century and built in stone in 1702. The church was rebuilt in 1865-1869, the project was personally approved by Alexander II. In 1872, according to the design of the architect R.Ya. Kilewein were built on the sides of the base of the bell tower, oval in plan, lowered rooms, which increased the area for holding services in the church.

The church is a striking example of stylization using motifs of ancient Russian architecture. During the years of Soviet power, the Union of Artists was located in the temple. And in 2003, the church was transferred to the Nizhny Novgorod diocese, and in October 2006 the bell tower was fully equipped. There were 12 bells installed on the bell tower, the largest of which weighs 4 tons.

Vysokovskaya Church

In 1801, by decree of the Synod, the construction of a stone three-altar church began in the village of Vysokovo. The construction of the facades was carried out according to the plans of the architect Ivan Mezhetsky.

The architecture of the temple is made according to the “ship” type, where the altar and prayer hall, as well as the refectory and bell tower, located above the main entrance, were built with a strictly axial location. The decoration of the facades was carried out taking into account the then popular classicism and elements of the order and rustication.

The consecration of the temple was carried out by Bishop Moses in 1815 in honor of the Life-Giving Trinity. During the war, the church made a great contribution to helping its comrades in the fight against the enemy. And after its completion, the Vysokovskaya Church remained the only one that held services for parishioners from three surrounding districts (their number reached 5 thousand people).

The Vysokovskaya church sheltered Bishop Sergius Grishin in 1943, who lived here after the revival of the diocese. And since 1944, Bishop Zinovy ​​Krasovsky was appointed rector of the church.

Parish Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God on Ilyinskaya Mountain

The Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God, like the Ascension and Sergius Churches, is part of the Central Bishop's Compound. This temple is an object of cultural heritage of all-Russian significance, since it is the only structure that has come down to us from the period of stone architecture with a temple building of the 17th century with the completion of the main structure characteristic of that time in the form of a “crossed barrel with four faces.”

Previously, on the site of the Assumption Church there was a monastery, all of whose buildings were wooden. This monastery was mentioned in 1606 in the charter of Tsar Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky. Previously wooden, the Assumption Church was rebuilt from stone in 1672 by the merchant Afanasy Firsovich Olisov.

In 2004, during the last restoration, the bell tower and refectory and bell tower were restored in the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God, and the painting of the temple, including the altar and iconostasis, was restored.

Church in honor of the Vladimir-Oranskaya Mother of God and defenders of the Fatherland

The church in honor of the Vladimir-Oranskaya Mother of God and defenders of the Fatherland was erected between 1999 and 2005. The peculiarity of this temple is its chamber character, which arose as a result of the location of the church and its small size.

The territory of the temple is framed by a church fence, the structure of which includes a belfry on the western side, the shape of which was specially designed according to the general design and dimensions of the temple.

This church is made in traditional architectural forms of the period of Russian Orthodox architecture. Each façade is framed with a “face”; the interior of the church is decorated with special decorative elements-symbols. Mosaics, mortgage images and crosses, wall paintings and icon painting are also widely used in decoration. A distinctive feature of this church is the softness of details and forms that are characteristic of Art Nouveau.

Sergius Church in Ilyinskaya Sloboda

Sergius Church in Ilyinskaya Sloboda is part of the Central Bishop's Compound. This shrine was erected in the 14th century in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Initially, the temple was a multi-tented log church, but it soon burned down as a result of a fire.

In 1865, the famous architect R. Kilewein took on the restoration of the church, which lasted more than four years. The new temple is represented by five large chapters. Adjacent to the temple on the western side is a delightful four-tiered bell tower, the height of which is about 30 meters. The architectural forms of the church are made in relief, which was quite typical for churches of that time. The exterior decoration of the temple is made in an elegant Byzantine style; the heads of the temple are crowned with golden carved crosses.

The main altar of the Sergius Church was consecrated in the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh, and the side chapels were consecrated in honor of Saints Zosima, Savvatius and St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Since 2003, the temple has been subordinate to the Nizhny Novgorod Diocese. And already in 2006, the church was completely renovated and a bell tower was equipped, on which 12 bells were placed. One of them, the largest, weighs four tons.

The Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh is engaged in educational activities: meetings are held here to study the Holy Scriptures.

Church of John the Baptist - Revival

The Church of John the Baptist - Revival is one of the most ancient Orthodox sanctuaries in Nizhny Novgorod; the first mention of it was found in the 15th century. The rebuilt stone church was first consecrated in 1683, and the re-consecration took place on November 4, 2005.

In 1612, during the Time of Troubles, from the porch of this church, still wooden, Kozma Minin, who fought for the liberation of Moscow from Polish intervention, appealed to his fellow citizens.

The unusual “ship”-type structure of the temple was placed on a brick sub-temple, which was of considerable height. In the sub-temple there were shops that were rented by merchants.

From the second half of the 19th century, a tented chapel of Alexander Nevsky and a gatehouse were added to the church; later the bell tower was rebuilt and the altar was relocated.

In 1937, after the church was closed, its last rector was shot, and a sports school was located in the church building itself.

Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was built in 1899, cash highlighted by P.M. Guryev, he was the founder of the net knitting industry.

The architecture of the church is made in the ancient style, the iconostasis was built by the master of the village of Katunki F.I from bog oak, it is a copy of the Church of the Intercession in Nizhny Novgorod.

The icons were painted by the icon painter M.I. Dikarev, all the temple utensils were brought from the city of Moscow, the weight of the bell is 335 pounds, and the amazingly beautiful Metlakh tiles were brought from Kharkov. By 1899 the church was built and did not need anything.

Many people came to see the lighting of the church, among them were local residents, praying mantises, the church can accommodate six hundred people.

The service was led by the rector of the Feodorovsky Monastery.

Church of the Nativity

The Nativity Church, also known as the Stroganov Church, is one of the best examples of the Stroganov Baroque style and has the status of an architectural monument of federal significance. The building has a rich external and internal decoration, which attracts not only parishioners, but also tourists.

The church was built with the money of the merchant Stroganov in 1719. The building was rebuilt and restored several times, most recently in 1913. In Soviet times, they planned to dismantle the building, but through the efforts of the rector of the temple, who pointed out architectural significance building, it was preserved.

The temple and bell tower are decorated with white stone carvings, including windows, columns, and entrance portals. Also on the bell tower there is a clock and a weather vane, alien to Russian architecture. The interior of the temple is also decorated with stone carvings and an iconostasis. In addition, the temple houses several shrines, including icons of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Mother of God and several icons with particles of relics.

Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

The Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Nizhny Novgorod was founded on the eve of National Unity Day - November 3, 2005. It is located at the Zelensky Congress - in the place where one of the most ancient Nizhny Novgorod wooden churches was once located. Instead, in memory of the heroic events of the People's Militia, the merchant Afanasy Olisov built the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God from brick in 1687.

Every year to this the most beautiful building, in many ways repeating the outlines of the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square in Moscow, on the day of veneration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (in the new style - November 4), a festive religious procession was organized from the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, although on other days the temple was a place of pilgrimage for numerous pilgrims.

In Soviet times, the historically valuable building of the 17th century was destroyed, and the current four-pillar church with one dome and a bell tower, classic for medieval Russian architecture, was built according to a completely new project, the author of which was the architect Evgeny Pestov.

Nikolskaya Tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia