Pilgrimage to Kaluga, Church of the Prophet John the Baptist

Mir

Russia Kaluga Region Kaluga Temple of the Prophet John the Baptist (Kaluga) Map is loading…

{"format":"leaflet","minzoom":false,"maxzoom":false,"limit":50,"offset":0,"link":"all","sort":[""], "order":[],"headers":"show","mainlabel":"","intro":"","outro":"","searchlabel":"\u2026 \u0441\u043b\u0435\ u0434\u0443\u044e\u0449\u0438\u0435 \u0440\u0435\u0437\u0443\u043b\u044c\u0442\u0430\u0442\u044b","default":"","import-annotation":false,"width ":"auto","height":"350px","centre":{"text":"","title":"""link":"""lat":54.514330000000001064108801074326038360595703125,"lon": 36.26126000000000004774847184307873249053955078125,"icon":""},"title":"","label":"","icon":"","lines":[],"polygons":[],"circles":[ ],"rectangles":[],"copycoords":false,"static":false,"zoom":8,"defzoom":14,"layers":["OpenStreetMap"],"image layers":[] ,"overlays":[],"resizable":false,"fullscreen":true,"scrollwheelzoom":true,"cluster":false,"clustermaxzoom":9,"clusterzoomonclick":true,"clustermaxradius":80, "clusterspiderfy":true,"geojson":"","clicktarget":"","showtitle":true,"hidenamespace":false,"template":"","userparam":"","activeicon": "","pagelabel":false,"ajaxcoordproperty":"","ajaxquery":"","locations":[{"text":"\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"/palomnik/%D0% A5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC_%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BA%D0%B0_%D0%98%D0%BE% D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%87%D0%B8_(%D0 %9A%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%B0)\» title=\»\u0425\u0440\u0430\u043c \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0440\u043e\u043a\ u0430 \u0418\u043e\u0430\u043d\u043d\u0430 \u041f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u0442\u0435\u0447\u0438 (\u041a\u0430\u043b\u0443\u0433\u 0430)\»\u003E\u0425\ u0440\u0430\u043c \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0440\u043e\u043a\u0430 \u0418\u043e\u0430\u043d\u043d\u0430 \u041f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u 0442\u0435\u0447\u0438 (\u041a \u0430\u043b\u0443\u0433\u0430)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/b\u003E\u003Chr /\u003E\u003Ca href=\"/palomnik/%D0%A1%D0%B2%D0%BE% D0%B9%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE:%D0%90%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%86%D0 %B8%D1%8F\" title=\"\u0421\u0432\u043e\u0439\u0441\u0442\u0432\u043e:\u0410\u043d\u043d\u043e\u0442\u0430\u0446\u0438\u044f\"\ u003E\u0410\u043d\u043d\u043e\u0442\u0430\u0446\u0438\u044f\u003C/a\u003E: "'\u0425\u0440\u0430\u043c \u043f\u0440\u043e\u04 40\u043e\u043a\u0430 \u0418\u043e\u0430\u043d\u043d\u0430 \u041f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u0442\u0435\u0447\u0438"' \u0431\u044b\u043b \u043f\u043e\u04 41\u0442\u0440\u043e\u0435 \u043d\u0432 1735 \u0433\u043e\u0434\u0443 \u043d\u0430 \u043c\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0435 \u0434\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0432\u044 f\u043d\u043d\u043e\u0433\u043e\ u0445\u0440\u0430\u043c\u0430. \u041d\u0430 \u0442\u0435\u0440\u0440\u0438\u0442\u043e\u0440\u0438\u0438 \u0445\u0440\u0430\u043c\u0430 \u0440\u0430\u0441 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0436 \u0435\u043d\u043e \u0410\u0440\u0445\u0438\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0439\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0435 \u043f\u043e\u0434\u0432\u043e\ u0440\u044c\u0435.","" title":"\u0425\u0440\u0430\u043c \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0440\u043e\u043a\u0430 \u0418\u043e\u0430\u043d\u043d\u0430 \u041f\u0440\u0 435\u0434\u0442\u0435 \u0447\u0438 (\u041a\u0430\u043b\u0443\u0433\u0430)","link":"","lat":54.514330000000001064108801074326038360595703125,"lon":36.261260 00000000004774847184307873249053955078125,"icon":""}],"imageLayers ":[]}

54.514352; 36.261026

Russia, Kaluga, Moskovskaya street, 30

Kaluga, Kaluga region 248000

Russia

Telephone:

+7 (4842) 574137

Temple of the Prophet John the Baptist

was built in 1735 on the site of a wooden church. The Bishop's Compound is located on the territory of the temple.

History[edit]

The temple was built in 1735 on the site of a wooden one. In 1754, it was severely damaged during a fire, which destroyed a significant part of the city buildings. Then all the interior decoration and icons of the temple burned out almost completely. Only the image of John the Baptist survived. The temple was restored in 1763 with funds raised through the efforts of priest Nikita Egorovich Popov and parishioners. At the same time, 2 chapels were added to it - one in the name of Sergius of Radonezh, the other in the name of the martyrs Guria, Samon and Aviv. Artificial marble of different colors was used for the interior decoration of the temple.

At the end of the 19th century. The temple was undergoing renovations, during which its walls were re-painted and the floor was covered with parquet. The painting was based on copies of images in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow and in the Vladimir Cathedral in Kyiv. The seven-tiered iconostasis was rewritten on a new canvas, but on old boards based on drawings by artists Vasnetsov, Nesterov, Makovsky and Sorokin. The ancient icon of John the Baptist and the icon of the martyrs Guria, Samon and Aviv were especially revered by parishioners.

From the outside the temple is majestic, richly ornamented. At the base of its main part there is a quadrangle with numerous windows. In the upper part of the quadrangle, there are four small domes at the corners, hiding the transition to the rotunda-shaped top, crowned with a round dome. The single chapter is studded with stars on a blue background. The three-tier bell tower in the Gothic style was built in 1784. At the corners of the first and second tiers there are 3 columns, only in the second they are connected by an arrow. The upper tier was redone during renovations in the 90s. XIX century

In 1929 the temple was closed (according to other sources it was closed in 1934), because the community was unable to carry out major repairs. In the mid-50s. XX century The altar of the church, facing Moskovskaya Street, was dismantled as “interfering with the passage of vehicles.” Since 1960, the Church of John the Baptist has been a monument of architecture and urban planning of republican significance (Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR No. 1327 of August 30, 1960).

Until 1995, the temple housed a college of culture. On August 7, 1995, the temple was transferred to the Kaluga diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church under an act of acceptance and transfer. On August 15, 1997, Agreement No. 1-p was concluded between the Directorate for the Protection, Restoration and Use of Monuments and Lands of Historical and Cultural Purpose and the Kaluga Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church on the preservation and use of an immovable historical and cultural monument of religious significance. Currently, the temple has been completely restored externally, and work on the interior decoration and wall paintings is being completed.

On January 29, 2007, by Decree No. 89-r, the Government of the Russian Federation transferred the temple into the ownership of the Kaluga Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Story

The first mention of the temple in chronicles dates back to 1685. Then it was made of wood, like the city around it. In 1735 it was rebuilt in stone. In the middle of the century, the temple suffered from a large fire, which destroyed many buildings in Kaluga. Only the icon of John the Baptist survived, and in honor of him in 1763 the restored temple was consecrated.

At the end of the 19th century. The temple underwent restoration, during which the walls were painted with the faces of saints, and the floor became parquet. The painting was based on scenes from the main Moscow and Kyiv cathedrals.

The three-tier bell tower was built in 1784 and became a symbol of the temple and a landmark in the city.

In 1929, the temple was closed and for more than 50 years a cultural college was based there. On August 7, 1995, the Church of St. John the Baptist was transferred to the Kaluga diocese; the transfer was finally carried out in 2007.

The temple has the status of an Object of Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of the Russian Federation of federal significance.

Current state[edit]

Interior decoration of the temple
According to a long-standing tradition, in early January, the composition “Nativity Nativity Scene” with the figures of the Infant Christ, the Mother of God, and the Righteous Joseph, made with great love by the employees of the Kaluga Youth Theater, is installed near the walls of the temple. The temple is located on the central street of the city, throughout the day from the “Christmas Nativity scene” you can hear a special phonogram on the theme of the Nativity of Christ, prepared by students of the Kaluga Theological Seminary. This invariably attracts the attention of passersby, especially children. The Christmas nativity scene is installed annually for the entire Christmastide period.

Every year, on May 24, on the day of remembrance of Saints Cyril and Methodius, a Concert of sacred music dedicated to the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture is held at the walls of the temple, with the assistance of the Kaluga City Administration.

According to tradition, the Bell Ringing Festival in Kaluga opens in our church.

Throughout the year, various shrines from distant places come to the temple for worship.

The temple in the village is under the care of the temple. Akhlebinino, Peremyshl district, Kaluga region. The church is being restored by the parish.

The Azarovsky orphanage is cared for by the temple cleric, Priest Sergius Beskorovain. In the orphanage, through the efforts of the priesthood and teachers, a house church was created, consecrated in honor of the Monk Tikhon of Kaluga. Services, with the blessing of the ruling bishop, are held once every two weeks. The number of people attending the services is about 20 children. As a rule, they all confess and receive communion at every service.

Coming

The parish of the Church of John the Baptist in Kaluga is one of the most numerous in the city. The clergy actively supports parishioners, conducts not only divine services, but also conducts active spiritual and educational activities. There is a Sunday school at the temple, whose students participate in patriotic events, charity concerts and seminars.

There is also a spiritual center at the temple, where events are regularly held for large families, orphans and the disabled, pensioners and everyone. All events are free. They are supported by the city administration. Some of them are of urban significance. For example, the traditional annual bell ringing festival and the Kaluga arts festival “Easter Blagovest”, which annually attracts dozens of participants and hundreds of spectators.

The temple is in charge of village churches, where children and parents regularly come with holiday programs, and the clergy conducts services.

Festival Easter Blagovest-2016, © Temple VKontakte

Shrines[edit]

Miraculous copy of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God (Hodegetria)

Ark with the relics of saints. ow. book Vladimir, equal to Thekla the First Martyr, sschmch. Vladimir Metropolitan of Kyiv, sschmch. Kuksha of Kiev-Pechersk, sschmch. Lucian, St. Philaret Metropolitan of Kyiv, Venerable. Achilas the deacon, St. Pimena the faster, St. Agapit, doctor of Kiev-Pechersk.
Shrines from the Holy Land: a piece of the Holy Sepulcher, a piece of the Calvary Stone, a piece of the Tree of the Life-Giving Cross.
Relics of the holy venerable Optina Elders.
A piece of the relics of St. St. Sergius of Radonezh.
Miraculous copy of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God (Hodegetria).
A piece of the relics of the blessed Matrona of Moscow and her miraculous icon.
Relics and icon of St. Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky).

Current state

Today, the Kaluga shrine is being restored, its interior decoration is being completed. The basis of the majestic temple of the prophet John the Baptist is a quadrangular foundation, above which rises a building with many windows.

Interior of St. John's Church

The upper part of the church is decorated with four domes. The single chapter is decorated with stars against the blue sky. There are three columns on each of the two tiers.

The church is especially crowded on Christmastide, when students of the Kaluga Theological Seminary organize a Nativity scene. With the assistance of the priesthood of the Church of the Baptist, the following events are held in the city:

May 24 concerts of wind instruments in honor of the memory of Cyril and Methodius, the founders of Slavic culture:
bell music festival.

Every year parishioners and pilgrims have the opportunity to venerate shrines that are delivered from other Orthodox churches. Through the efforts of the cleric Priest Sergei Beskorovainy, assistance was organized for the orphanage, on the territory of which the Tikhonovskaya Church was consecrated.

The Akhlebininskaya Church, which has an interesting history and is at the stage of restoration, is assigned to the Church of St. John the Baptist. Bright Easter 2021 is marked by the first night Liturgy.

Patronal holidays[edit]

John the Baptist, prophet

— July 7 (Christmas), September 11 (Beheading), October 6 (Conception), January 20 – Council

Sergius of Radonezh, Venerable

— Cathedral of Moscow Saints, July 18, October 8

Gury, Samon and Aviv, martyrs and confessors

- November 28

Pilgrim[edit]

Divine services in the temple are held daily.

The morning service begins at 9:00, the evening service at 17:00.

During the evening service during the week, the church clergy performs five akathists:

on Monday: akathist to the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John for chanting;
on Tuesday: at the request of the parishioners of the temple, an akathist is performed to the holy blessed Matrona of Moscow;
on Wednesday: akathist to the Kaluga Icon of the Mother of God for chanting;
on Friday: akathist to the holy Venerable Sergius of Radonezh;
on Sunday: akathists alternate with Kaluga saints: St. Tikhon of Kaluga, St. Paphnutius of Borovsk, St. Ambrose of Optina, Blessed Lawrence of Kaluga.

Akathists are not performed if the evening service includes an all-night vigil or polyeleos; in these cases, a statutory service is performed.

On Sundays and on the days of the twelve feasts, two Divine Liturgies are celebrated: early - at 7:00, late - at 9:00.

Also, two Divine Liturgies are celebrated on Parental Saturdays.

Night services are held on Easter Sunday, Easter, Nativity and, according to tradition established in the city of Kaluga, on the night of December 31 to January 1.

Architecture

The Church of John the Baptist was built according to the canons of the Russian Orthodox Church. At the base of its main part there is a quadrangle with numerous windows. During the restoration, chapels appeared on both sides of the temple. Now it has a typical structure for an Orthodox church: the main room and two side chapels.

The dome of the temple has one dome, it is painted blue and decorated with stars. The bell tower of the temple has three tiers and rises above the street. The bell tower was built at the end of the 18th century.

Inside the temple is painted with images of saints and main scenes from the Gospel. The altar of the temple contains shrines - ancient icons, including the image of the Baptist John, in whose honor the temple is named.