One of the oldest Russian cities is Yaroslavl. The Church of Elijah the Prophet is considered one of its main attractions. The history of Yaroslavl and this architectural structure are tightly intertwined. Now we plunge into the depths of centuries and find out what the city and the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl are hiding. A description of their shared historical path can be found below.
The foundation of Yaroslavl
According to legend, Yaroslavl was founded in the XI century, on Ilyin’s day. By the name it is clear that he was named in honor of the Grand Duke of Kiev Yaroslav Vladimirovich the Wise. True, when the city was laid down, he did not yet have such a sonorous title, but was just a specific prince of Rostov with his father.
First of all, as it should be in those days, the main fortification of the city was founded - the Kremlin.
But the first annalistic certificate of the city of Yaroslavl refers only to 1071. That is, after the death of Prince Yaroslav himself.
Construction of the Church of Elijah the Prophet
As already mentioned above, the legend says that the city of Yaroslavl was founded on the day of Elijah the Prophet. It was a great holiday in Russia and throughout the Orthodox world in honor of the famous ancient Jewish prophet and god-pleaser. But he was especially honored in our homeland. Perhaps it was not in vain that Yaroslav chose this day to lay his city.
Although according to legend, the future Grand Duke laid the city in honor of the victory over the bear. And this wonderful victory just coincided with the Day of Elijah the Prophet. In general, what to believe - everyone decides for himself, but the truth is still inaccessible to us and hidden under the canopy of centuries.
Then, as expected, a church was laid in honor of the guardian of the city. So the Church of Elijah the Prophet appeared in Yaroslavl. It was built, like the whole city, of wood.
We no longer know anything about how the Church of Elijah the Prophet “came” to Yaroslavl. Scanty information is contained only in the "Legend of the City of Yaroslavl", which modern historians consider unreliable. We also do not know anything about the interior of the church of this period.
The Principality of the Principality
Meanwhile, the city grew and developed, was built and traded. Before the Mongol invasion, the first stone buildings and structures appeared in it. Prince Rostov-Suzdal Konstantin actually made Yaroslavl his capital, although formally it was Rostov. And already with his second son, Vsevolod, the city became the center of the specific principality. He remained such until 1471, when he was finally attached to the gaining power of the Moscow principality.
So Yaroslavl grew and developed. The Church of Elijah the Prophet of this period, again, is practically not illuminated by sources.
City within the Russian Empire
Meanwhile, the Principality of Moscow grew stronger, and under Ivan the Terrible it became known as the Russian Kingdom. Yaroslavl, ruled by tsarist governors, was included in this state. The period of feudal fragmentation was over, which contributed to the development of trade, crafts and the activation of urban life in general.
And finally, the time comes when the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl began to live a new life.
Building a new temple
Yaroslavl healed with a new life. The Church of Elijah the Prophet also required updating. Therefore, in 1647, under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the construction of a new, stone building began. It was laid at the place where before that stood the old Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl and the Church of the Protection of the Virgin. Construction was completed by 1650.
The material financing of the construction was carried out by well-known patrons and merchants brothers Ioannikiy and Vonifaty Skrypina. This charitable work, of course, they will be counted in a better world.
So the Church of Elijah the Prophet was re-erected. Yaroslavl presents history as a regional center of the time, and the church as the heart of the city.
Fire in Yaroslavl
In 1658, great sorrow fell on Yaroslavl. A large number of buildings were burning, many families lost their homes or relatives. The fire was raging inexorably, it seemed that nothing would stop him until he “eats” the whole city.
So the city of Yaroslavl burned. The Church of Elijah the Prophet miraculously remained almost untouched. Only the outer part was burned, and the interior decoration remained almost in its original form. And the fire then receded.
Church painting
Meanwhile, the city of Yaroslavl was rebuilt. The Church of Elijah the Prophet towered, symbolizing a miracle that stopped the flame. And then the inhabitants of the city thought about how to paint the temple again.
For this work, in 1680, famous artists from Kostroma - Sila Savin and Guri Nikitin - were invited . Their golden hands, driven by divine inspiration, gave the temple an indescribably delightful look. The Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl was pleasing to the eye. Frescoes painted with a brilliant hand attracted new parishioners to take part in ritual sacraments and prayers.
Yaroslavl as part of the Russian Empire
Under Peter I, Russia acquired the status of an empire. She became one of the strongest and most developed states of her time. The power of our country grew even more during the reign of Catherine II.
This could not but positively affect the development of Yaroslavl. Although at that time it remained a small provincial center.
In 1778, when the master plan of the city of Yaroslavl was approved, the Church of Elijah the Prophet according to the scheme was to become its natural center. In 1898-1904, a general reconstruction of the temple was carried out.
Perhaps this period is the most glorious in the history of the temple, when it was surrounded by spirituality and tranquility. But Heavenly Father often sends trials to his children, and a period of well-being is followed by a bitter period of misfortune and persecution.
Soviet period
The Soviet era was marked by massive persecution against the servants of religion, the destruction of temples, the propaganda of atheism. The church was transferred to the museum. Fortunately, her most bitter fate passed - demolition. The services in it were stopped, but no other sights of Yaroslavl could overshadow the beauty of the temple. The Church of Elijah the Prophet ceased to be a place of worship to God, but most importantly, it was preserved as an architectural and historical object, and was not destroyed, like many temples in that period of history.
The city of that time lived its own life, perhaps even happy, but it was far from spirituality. It became a large regional center in which electrification was carried out, industry, cultural circles and places of leisure developed. People fussed, hurried to work, the rumble of transport, children's laughter, gossip of old women was heard. In general, the city lived, but at the same time it lacked a special spiritual core.
Resumption of worship
With the collapse of communist ideology in 1989, church services began again. This fact marked the spiritual and cultural revival of Yaroslavl. Since that time, the religious life of the city shone in a new light, as in the old days. True, at present, services are conducted only in the summer. In addition, the temple continues to be a museum and delight the eye of art lovers.
The modern Church of Elijah the Prophet - a place of religious services, a museum, a masterpiece of architecture.
The modern decoration of the temple
As mentioned above, now we know little about how the church was cleaned in the old days. But everyone can go to Yaroslavl and witness with their own eyes the whole beauty of the Church of Elijah the Prophet now.
Currently, the church is a four-pillar temple. It is painted with many amazing frescoes, many of which are compositions on a household theme. But separately among them it is worth highlighting the fresco "Fatherland" and the composition "Crucifixion", which are especially pleasing to the eye and overwhelmed with the feelings of visitors for many years.
How to get to the temple?
If we have already started talking about a direct visit to the temple by those who wish, then let's clarify how to get to the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl. The address is quite simple - Sovetskaya Square, 7. Ironically, the temple is located in a square named after its former persecutors. But in general, you don’t even need to know the exact address - just head to the very center of the city. All roads lead to the temple!
Summary
As we can see, both the city of Yaroslavl and the Church of Elijah the Prophet had rather complex, often closely intertwined fates. They knew the times of ups and downs, the greatness of faith and religious prohibitions, fires and rebounds. But the main thing is that, despite all the vicissitudes and difficulties, the divine spark remained in Yaroslavl and in the church, to which a series of pilgrims, tourists, scientists and just lovers of the beautiful are headed. Each of them goes to the Church of the Prophet with his personal purpose, not even suspecting that in fact God himself leads them.