Temple of Seraphim of Vyritsky in Kupchino: where is, reviews and photos

In the late nineties, when throughout the country was an active process of its spiritual revival, a group of activists raised the question of erecting a new church in the southern part of St. Petersburg to feed the inhabitants of this densely populated part of the city. Since the autumn of 1999, a specially created initiative group started work, as a result of which the temple of Seraphim Vyritsky in Kupchino appeared.

Chapel, the predecessor of the temple

This difficult work began with the fact that after agreeing all the necessary issues with the district administration and the city's diocesan authorities, a constituent assembly of future parishioners took place. In those years, among the Orthodox saints there was still no Seraphim of Vyritsky, and a new parish was formed in honor of another Saint Seraphim-Sarovsky.

Before the temple of Seraphim Vyritsky in Kupchino appeared, the photo of which is presented in this article, a wooden chapel was built. Over its creation, a large number of people worked - residents of the surrounding neighborhoods and future parishioners. It was literally everything. After preparing the project documentation, which was entrusted to the architectural studio G. Sokolov, and the allocation by the Investment and Tender Commission of St. Petersburg of the land plot, work was begun on the preparation of the future construction site.

In their free time, Orthodox residents of the district gathered in a designated area for construction and were engaged in removing the top layer of soil, pouring and everything that was in their power. Those who had some skill helped the builders establish a temporary chapel and utility rooms. As it usually happens, work carried out on a wave of universal enthusiasm moved quickly, and in October 2003 the construction of a wooden log cabin was completed, crowned with a wooden cupola, equipped with a bell tower and decorated with a carved porch.

Appointment of Archpriest Father Nicholas

Long before the temple of Seraphim Vyritsky was built in Kupchino, in the temporary chapel worship services were held in accordance with their charter circle. Then still healed metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga Vladimir decree appointed for the parishioners in the newly formed parish of Archpriest Nikolai Mochalkin.

This duty he combined with the post of priest of the temple of the Holy Righteous Job of the Long-suffering, located at the Volkovsky cemetery of St. Petersburg. On Sunday and holidays Father Nikolay served in the chapel prayers and requiems.

The burning of the chapel

To the great chagrin of the parishioners who put a lot of work into building the chapel, she was set on fire twice. The first time it happened in the autumn of 2004, when the fire completely burned the inner room and the roof suffered badly.

But as witnesses of that sad event tell, then a miracle was revealed to the believers in consolation. Despite the fact that the fire was raging in the chapel, the icons of Lord Almighty and the Most Holy Theotokos were not damaged in it, and the aluminum baptismal font that was between them was half melted from the intense heat. The second time the arson was committed in 2010. Then the roof was badly burnt.

The laying of the stone temple

In 2005, two significant events occurred at once: the rector and the chairman of the parish council was Archpriest Valery Klimenkov, and at the same time the stone temple of Seraphim Vyritsky (in Kupchino) was laid. This happened on September 18, immediately upon receipt in the relevant administrative authorities of the building permit. It is important to note that the works started did not prevent the restoration of the burnt chapel, and in the same year the divine services in it resumed in full.

As you know, any construction requires significant material costs. The temple of Seraphim Vyritsky in Kupchino was no exception. The rector - Father Valery - showed outstanding energy and organizational abilities in this matter, having managed to attract not only a wide range of donors from among the future parishioners, but a number of fairly large St. Petersburg entrepreneurs. As a result, the problem was solved, and in 2007 the construction of the lower basement part of the church was completed. In January of the following year, the first divine liturgy was performed in it.

Opening of the upper church

The Temple of Seraphim of Vyritsky in Kupchino continued to be built. In the following period, the work was conducted in the same unrelenting rhythm, and by December 2011, a fully built building had installed a dome and an eight-pointed Orthodox cross. In six months the parishioners were already present at the divine liturgy, which was performed in the upper church, which was consecrated shortly before.

This significant event allowed to attend divine services to a large number of believers - practically to all who wished to visit the temple of Seraphim Vyritsky in Kupchino. The schedule of services from this day was built in such a way that part of the services provided for by the statutory circle was held in the lower, socle part, and part at the top. This has significantly increased the capacity of the temple.

About today's life of the temple

In 2012, significant finishing works were carried out, giving the entire building a complete and ceremonial appearance. However, during the following period, the builders and artists made additions in accordance with the general artistic concept of the authors of the project. Its implementation allows us to say that today one of the most interesting temple buildings of recent years is the temple of Seraphim Vyritsky in Kupchino. The feedback of grateful visitors is a vivid confirmation of this.

Even with a cursory acquaintance with them, it is clear that parishioners and guests are grateful to people who put their work on erecting the temple and organizing its internal life. A lot of warm words are addressed to the creators of the church choir, the singing of which is accompanied by divine services, as well as to the organizers of the Sunday school, in which both children and adults study.

For all the guests of St. Petersburg and the city residents, we provide basic information - the address where the Church of Seraphim of Vyritsky is located in Kupchino, the schedule of services: St. Petersburg, Zagrebsky Boulevard, 26; On Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, divine liturgies are held at 10.00, and all-night vigils at 18.00.