Church of Boris and Gleb, Kideksha: description, history, architecture, interesting facts

Suzdal district is considered one of the most interesting tourist routes in our country. Look at the numerous attractions in the Vladimir region come not only from all over the vast Russia, but also foreigners, in particular, Europeans. And this is not surprising. Indeed, Suzdal district by right can be called a museum working in the open air. Today it is part of the "Golden Ring" of Russia.

Holy places

On the territory of Suzdal an incredible number of churches, churches and chapels. The Vladimir diocese, in which they are members, has its history from the thirteenth century. Today there are twenty-eight monasteries and six temples. The largest of them are the Church of Boris and Gleb (Kideksha), Dmitrievsky and Uspensky cathedrals in Vladimir. On September 7, 2014, the Vladimir Diocese celebrated its eight hundredth anniversary. At the celebrations, headed by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill, there were not only believers from all corners of our country, but also numerous tourists. Interest in the sights of the Suzdal region is growing every year. Tourists come here to see this "open" Russian corner. It must be said that the temples of Suzdal are not only in the city, but also scattered over the picturesque meadows and fields of the region. One of them is the Church of Boris and Gleb (Kideksha).

Description

It is built four kilometers from Suzdal. The village of Kideksha, in which this rare monument of architecture stands, is ancient, pre-Slavic. It stands at the mouth of a small river Kamenka, among the vast fields. The Church of Boris and Gleb is one of the first churches belonging to the Vladimir-Suzdal white stone architecture. In the place where Kideksha is located, Kamenka merges with the Nerl - the most important vital artery of the Suzdal region. That is why here in the twelfth century Prince Yuri Dolgoruky decided to build a fortified town. He wanted to take the river outlet from Suzdal under his control. The temple of Boris and Gleb was built by his craftsmen in about 1152. He was to become the main cathedral in the residence of the prince. The courtyard was built on a high river bank in the form of a fortress. The fencing structures were more than one kilometer long. It was a fairly large residence, comparable in size to Moscow, founded by Yuri Dolgoruky. Unfortunately, many of its facilities have not reached us.

Tradition

The place for the construction and the name of the Borisoglebsk temple was not chosen by chance. According to legend, it was here that the brothers Gleb and Boris met, later recognized as the first saints in Russia. They arrived here at the call of his father - Prince Vladimir. In the "Power Book" it is said that on the river on Nerli in Kidekshah, near the city of Suzdal there was an ancient settlement. And it was here agreed to meet Boris and Gleb, who came from different directions in Kiev to the parent - Prince Krasnoe Solnyshko. Later they were killed by their third brother Svyatopolk. This tradition became an occasion to consecrate the main princely cathedral in honor of these two Russian first saints.

History

In Kideksha, the remains of the defensive shafts of the princely residence are still preserved. According to some reports, the church itself was laid by Yuri Dolgoruky in honor of his two younger sons - Boris and Gleb, who received the names of the patron saints glorified in Russia. Here is the tomb of one of them. It is in the Borisoglebsk church that the son of Dolgoruky, Prince of Belgorod and Turov, Boris Yurievich, who died in 1159, is with his wife Maria and daughter Euphrosyne.

During the Mongol invasion, Kideksha suffered greatly. But already in 1239 the church of Boris and Gleb was renovated and consecrated. According to some reports, it was at this time that an altar carved barrier and a white-stone seat were built here.

Architecture

The Church of Boris and Gleb (Kideksha) does not shine with such refined skill, which is inherent, for example, Uspensky or Dmitrievsky cathedrals, dating from about the same time. However, its simplicity gives the building a special appeal to some heroic statue. The Church of Boris and Gleb (Kideksha), whose architecture is very "severe," has an almost cubic form. She has three prominent apses in her mighty half-cylinders. The Church of Boris and Gleb (Kideksha) is virtually devoid of carved. Only the sash of her curb and the small town cornices at one time adorned an incredibly simple white facade.

Since the second half of the thirteenth century, the desolation of this temple began. The vaults and the head of it collapsed. And only in the sixteenth-seventeenth centuries the Church of Boris and Gleb (Kideksha) was renovated. Her old white stone was used in the work. Nevertheless, the four-pitched roof and small head did not quite reflect the shape of this ancient temple, which he originally had.

Appearance

The church of Boris and Gleb is made of one-headed, four-pillar, three-pedestal. It is made up of beautifully hewn and almost dry put high quality white stone blocks. The walls of the outer vanes are divided into three unequal strands, the middle one of which is wider and higher than the lateral ones. Above the western portal there is an arch. The size of the church, its overall proportions and most of the design features, including the profile of the blades are incredibly close to the Transfiguration Cathedral, built almost at the same time in Pereslavl-Zalessky.

Features

In the architecture of the Church of Boris and Gleb there are obvious parallels with Western European art, in particular, Romanesque. For example, draws attention to a characteristic arcature belt, dividing the side spindles into two tiers. Interesting and promising portal, which has a very simple profile in the form of three ledges and with slightly forward cast stone. The drum was equipped with a city belt, as evidenced by its remains found under the roof of the temple. On several stones in the masonry, you can see signs identical to the princes' masters.

Interior decoration

Built in 1152, the Church of Boris and Gleb (Kideksha) remained undecorated for four decades. In 1947, archaeologists discovered fragments of frescoes, which, according to researchers, belong to the eighties of the twelfth century. The painting, in all likelihood, was made in the time of Vsevolod III by his order, as evidenced by the numerous depicted paradise trees and birds, characteristic of the white-stone decoration of his epoch and being a departure from the canonical system. The church also preserved frescoes from a special niche in the thickness of the northern wall, right under the choir.

Temple complex

To the south of the cathedral at the end of the seventeenth century the Holy Gates were erected, which opened the descent to the river. In 1780, alongside a relatively older cold temple, a "warm" Stefanie Church was built, resembling a dwelling house with its gable roof. The complex is completed by a tented bell tower. Thus, the architectural ensemble Kidekshy combines buildings that are separated in time by five centuries, however, despite this, are incredibly organically linked.

If you look at this complex from the side of the Nerl River, you immediately feel that subtle understanding of the harmony of nature and architecture that was inherent in the ancient architect.

The temple of Boris and Gleb was thoroughly examined by archaeologists. The last excavations were carried out in 2011. The church was partially restored floor. Many unknown elements of the interior decoration were discovered: the base of the iconostasis, the lower part of the throne, the omphalie. In ancient Russian architecture, the so-called pink stone on the floor was called. Scientists believe that the most unique mosaic specimen is precisely the omphalia that the Church of Boris and Gleb (Kideksha) had.

Interesting Facts

Masters who performed construction work on the erection of the temple, Yuri Dolgoruky were previously sent to study in Italy. In Rome, they had to study the European architectural traditions of the time. The fact is that at that time in Russia had not yet worked with a natural stone. That's why the church turned out to be Romanesque, in the spirit of Europe of the twelfth century. The exterior decoration was modest, but even so, it was magnificent. Inside, everything was much richer. In addition, archaeologists have found a pink stone in the central part of the church - omphalie. This was a special place for which the bishop became a special service. Today Kidekshskaya Church of Boris and Gleb, listed in the list of UNESCO monuments, is part of the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum Reserve.

Reviews

Many people come to the amazingly beautiful village of Kideksha within the framework of the tourist route along the Golden Ring. Borisoglebsky temple is striking in scale. It's amazing how in the distant twelfth century it was possible to carry out such a huge monumental construction. The uniqueness of the church and its uniqueness bring tourists from all over the country. It's hard to imagine that she will soon be a thousand years old. The only thing that she lacks is a parking lot for cars, although it will be difficult to solve this problem, because the church does not have a parish and a priest.