The Temple of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane: History and Modernity

Among the old Moscow churches, Ilya Obydenny Church enjoys special respect and love among the parishioners. Since the 16th century, it has existed, serving as a support and support for believers in various moments of their lives. A large number of shrines, to which the temple is rich, fills the House of God with a special light energy, charging which every person who comes here feels an influx of physical and mental strength, peace and tranquility.

First buildings

The Temple of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane is a special place. This amazingly beautiful building fits organically into the surrounding landscape, ennobling and aesthetizing the surroundings. Saint Elie was dedicated to the earliest Christian church in Russia, even Kiev. With him also connected Obydenskiy temple, which is one of the parish organizations of the Moscow Orthodox Diocese.

The history of the building is unusual and interesting. After all, it refers to the oldest buildings of ancient Moscow. The first temple of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane was built of wood literally in one day or, in Old Russian, "routine". There were craftsmen in Russia! This happened during a period of severe drought, and the people, who had always believed in their beloved patron, had relied on his help even now. The building dates from around 1592, and the locality itself was called Skorodomna. Once upon a time, a forest was rafted over the water, and Muscovites, using a convenient ferry and delivery of materials, quickly put up their homes to move houses to more convenient areas of the city. The temple of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane gave the name of the streets leading to it - the Ilinskys. Renamed the present they were later.

Protection of Holy Russia

The church fell in love not only with the inhabitants of the surroundings. From all over Moscow, people flocked here for Orthodox holidays. And on ordinary days she was never empty. In historical documents, the temple of Elijah the Prophet in the Obydensky lane is often mentioned. Molebens are held here for many significant events related to the domestic and foreign policy activities of Russian rulers.

If there was a prolonged rain or a long drought, on the saints of the saint from the Kremlin there was a procession, led by the tsar-father and priests of the Russian Church. It is not by chance that Obydensky lane, the temple of Elijah the prophet, became the places where the clergy, together with the people's militia led by Minin and Pozharsky, prayed to the Most High and the saints for help in military matters. It is about the era of the Time of Troubles, Polish intervention and Moscow's defense against the invaders. August 24, 1612, after the moleben, a decisive battle took place, which ended with the victory of Russian arms.

Second birth

At the very beginning of the 18th century the old church building was demolished. In its place built a stone. The present temple of Elijah the Prophet in Moscow has preserved in the main its ancient architectural appearance. Funds for the construction of it provided Gabriel and Vasily Derevniny. In memory of them in the church installed marble plaques. Further construction work continued in the next century. The building was renovated, supplemented with new chapels. Since then, the services are constantly held here. And in the difficult times for the House of God, when the authorities wanted to close it, the parishioners did not allow it. For example, about 4 thousand people defended the church in 1930 year.

Shrines of the temple

The main chapel of the church is dedicated to Elijah the Prophet. Additional - St. Peter and Paul, the martyrs Anne the Prophetess and Simeon the Hospitable. Among the most significant of its shrines are primarily the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, which is called "Unexpected joy." The image of the Holy Trinity, before which the national heroes Minin and Pozharsky prayed, is also extremely important for Christians. Lists of such famous icons as the Kazan, Vladimir and Fedorovskaya Mother of God, the Savior Not Made by Hands, give their healing power to the suffering. Particles of the relics of Sergius of Radonezh and Seraphim of Sarov also attract pilgrims from all over the country. The doors of the temple are open for all comers from 8 am to 10 pm daily.