Where is the temple?
The village of Troparevo has always been a lively and busy crossroads of several important roads southwest of Moscow. Once belonging to the merchant Ivan Tropar, after whom it was named, it eventually became the property of the Novodevichy Convent, with whose funds the Church of the Archangel Michael was erected at the turn of the 17th–18th centuries.
- Today Troparevo has entered the city limits, turning into the Troparevo-Nikulino district, and the temple, which is nestled in the southern side of Nikulino Park, has found its modern Moscow address: Vernadsky Avenue, building 90.
- If you have any questions or clarifications, you can call the temple by phone: 8 (495) 4332476.
Story
The first mention of the temple dates back to the fourteenth century. This building is now a decoration of the capital, but earlier on this place there was the village of Troparevo with a small wooden church consecrated in the name of Archangel Michael, who is the great messenger of the Lord himself, he brings strength, wisdom and love. According to the canons of the Orthodox Church, there are several archangels, but many Christians identify all of them with Michael. He is also known as the Archangel - military commander, conqueror of the Devil.
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There is an assumption that the church was erected on the site of the wooden Cathedral of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael. The structure was built with funds from the Novodevichy Convent. Exact information about who the architect was has not been preserved, but it is assumed that Ostap Startsev, who participated in the construction of the monastery. The church was in good condition for a long time, because the village of Troparevo was the most profitable property of the Novodevichy Convent.
In 1812, Napoleon's troops retreated along the Starokaluga Road and passed the church, so it was not damaged. However, during the years of Soviet power, the building suffered significant damage. The interior decoration was destroyed, the bells were thrown down, the fence was demolished, the gold and silver were requisitioned. The church stood in this condition for more than fifty years. Periodically, the building was used to store grain and Mosfilm decorations.
Only in the late seventies of the last century did the restoration of the church begin. Gradually the building began to acquire its former features. Services have resumed in the temple in Troparevo.
How to get to the temple?
- The nearest station of the Moscow metro is “Yugo-Zapadnaya” (on the Sokolnicheskaya line), however, from it to the temple you will have to walk about 900 meters (this is no more than 10 minutes at a leisurely pace).
- The choice of ground transport to get to the temple is amazing and pleasing. Buses No. 196, 420, 630, 863 go more or less regularly to the “Church of the Archangel Michael” . Buses No. E1, 66, 227, 281, 590, 611, 642 will take you the “Theater in the South-West” , 707, 718, 802, 890, as well as minibuses No. 22m, 45m, 161m, 309, 1011.
Architecture
For seven centuries, the church suffered from frequent fires more than once. After another devastating fire, the Church of the Archangel Michael in Troparevo was built from brick, in which you can see details of the Novodevichy Convent. During this period, the Ukrainian style in architecture included elements of the Naryshkin Baroque. Therefore, the temple combines simple details of Russian churches with Western European architecture.
The structure of the symmetrical composition is decorated with five gilded domes. Semicircular apses at the base of the chapters give the impression of floating airiness. The corners of the cathedral are with majestic columns, the windows are decorated with white frames. Pretentiousness and originality gives the structure a unique look.
Also read: Archangel Jeremiel: icon and prayer
More than fifty years of neglect have made the building a dilapidated structure. As a result of the reconstructions, the foundation was strengthened, the walls were restored, the domes and crosses were updated, and the roof surface was covered. The Royal Doors were miraculously preserved in the barn; they were given to the church. One woman brought a bell as a gift, which she carefully kept throughout the years.
Attractions and shrines of the temple
- St. Michael's Church It is interesting for its unusual combination of architecture, characteristic of rural church architecture, and the almost luxurious design of the facade. In general, the style in which the temple was built can be attributed to the so-called “Moscow Baroque”, which was primarily characterized by a tendency towards the magnificent decoration of churches. So, even though Troparevo was once a village, the appearance of St. Michael’s Church is one hundred percent worthy of a ceremonial capital church.
- An interesting detail catches the eye of an attentive observer when looking at the appearance of the temple: five onion domes crowned with gilded crosses with a crescent at the foot. Where did this crescent on the Orthodox cross come from and what does it mean? Some researchers see in this symbolism from the Revelation of John the Theologian, some - an image of the baptismal font or the Bethlehem manger, but the widespread belief that this is a symbol of the victory of the Christian world over the Muslim world is false.
- Main temple mosaic icon, located to the right of the royal doors, depicts Archangel Michael as the Archangel, that is, the leader of the heavenly army, fearlessly entering into the fight against the forces of evil. Festive shades of red emphasize the feeling of confidence in the triumph of good over the machinations of the fallen angel.
- There are many revered shrines in the temple. Among them Icons of the Mother of God “Donskaya” and “Smolenskaya”, icon of the holy princess Anna Kashinskaya, known for her difficult fate during her lifetime and posthumous vicissitudes, which closely linked her name with the schism of the Russian Church, particles of the relics of the holy martyr Charalampios and Saint Nicholas.
Did you know? It is in the Church of the Archangel Michael that Andrei Kuraev, a famous religious figure, philosopher, theologian, publicist and preacher, serves as a supernumerary protodeacon.
Return of a shrine to the Orthodox Church
The millennium of the Baptism of Rus' in 1988 was widely celebrated throughout Russia; this event literally radically changed the attitude of society towards the Christian faith and its shrines.
Paintings on the eastern wall of the Church of the Archangel Michael in Troparevo
In 1989, the dilapidated church was in terrible condition. The half-rotten roof let in rain and snow, inside the building there was rusty metal and the remains of machine tools, but this did not frighten the believers, who literally scraped dirt from all corners of the shrine. Through the efforts of faithful parishioners, church relics kept in their homes were brought to the temple.
Nowadays, tens of thousands of parishioners annually visit the magnificent ancient temple, endowed with the status of a patriarchal courtyard.
The heads of the domes of modern construction are made in the shape of onions, which means flame to the heavens; they cast a golden light on sunny days, illuminating everything around with Divine light.
On a note! A distinctive feature of St. Michael's Church is the cross. Prince Vladimir baptized Rus' with a cross of the Latin form. The Russian cross has an oblique lower crossbar at the bottom, depicting the confrontation between hell and heaven.
The modern cross on the dome of the shrine, covered with gilding, has a crescent moon located at the base and a bunch of stars in its middle. This is a type of the Orthodox Church, which is spoken of in the letter of John (Rev. 12:1)
Photo of the Church of the Archangel Michael in Troparevo
The five-domed Church of the Archangel Michael with a bell tower.
The Church of the Archangel Michael in Troparevo is extremely beautiful at night.
Patriarchal service on the week of the Last Judgment in the Moscow Church of the Archangel Michael in Troparevo.
Church of the Archangel Michael (Archangel Michael) in Troparevo. Holy Gate.
Information for parishioners and pilgrims
Moscow's St. Michael's Cathedral is open daily, services are held twice a day. In the morning at 7.40 the Divine Liturgy is celebrated. Evening worship begins at 17.00.
On a note! At the evening Sunday service you can attend the reading of the akathist to the Holy Archangel Michael.
You must find out about the schedule of services for each day personally; basic information is provided by the official website of the church.
The main patronal holiday is celebrated:
- November 21, the day of the Council of the Archangel Michael and all the ethereal heavenly powers;
- September 19—Mikhailovsky miracle;
- August 14 - All-Merciful Savior;
- February 23 is the feast of the holy martyr Harlampius.
SOCIAL ACTIVITY OF THE PARISH
Every week from Thursday to Sunday, from 09.00 to 18.00, anyone in need has the opportunity to contact the parish social worker Vladimir Nikolaevich Starunov with their problem or need, and receive the required help.
Contact phone: tel. 8 (916) 369-46-65.
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- The parish organizes regular collections of clothing, essential items and household appliances for all those in need.
- Large and low-income families of the parish are provided with food and material assistance in case of urgent need.
- The clergy and parishioners have organized assistance and care for lonely people. On holidays, members of the Akaluf youth club of our parish help in social service, and all interested parishioners are invited to patronize single parishioners.
- On Sundays and holidays, at the Rostock Sunday School, the parish, with the participation of parishioners, organizes hot lunches for closer unity and friendly communication between members of the community, our parish.
- Every Saturday at 14.00 an akathist is read before the icon of the Mother of God “Education”. Conversations are held with people suffering from alcohol, drug or computer addiction and with their loved ones.
- Every Sunday at 9.00 am a prayer service is served before the icon of the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Chalice”.
The clergy of the Church of St. Vmch. St. George the Victorious on Poklonnaya Gora and the attached church-chapel of the Archangel Michael near the Kutuzovskaya Izba, spiritual nourishment is provided to the Children's Home for the Disabled No. 15 of the special correctional 8th type for mentally retarded children (Moscow, Academician Pavlova St., 15). At the boarding school there is a house church in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in which the clergy, together with the full-time cleric from the “Mercy” service, Fr. Dionysius Gudz performs the Sacraments of Baptism, the Eucharist, prayer services, and conducts educational activities with students.
