In which region are people most involved in Orthodox culture?

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In the city of Kursk and the surrounding region there are many places associated with the life of Prokhor Moshnin, who later became famous as Elder Seraphim of Sarov. Here, in the center of the nightingale region, his ancestors lived, he was born (1754), spent part of his life, and he himself. Therefore, the city and its surroundings attract many tourists and pilgrims who want to visit places that preserve the memory and silent testimonies of the saint.

Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov

The temple, built in honor of the famous city dweller, is located on Polevaya Street 17. According to legend, it stands on the very spot where gypsies once settled. Vagrants were not allowed into the city and, to escape the spring floods, they built their tents on a hillock. Gypsies had different types of professions. Some were engaged in repurchasing horses and cattle, others were farriers and songwriters. This is where the name of this area comes from.

The stone brick building of the two-complex theological school and the Church of Seraphim of Sarov attached to it was erected in 1905 through the efforts of the merchant I.V. Puzanov, who donated ten thousand rubles to the city budget for these purposes. This is the last stone church built before the October Revolution. The temple was consecrated by Bishop Pitirim, the ruling bishop of the Kursk province at that time.

From the first days, the temple began to attract crowds of pilgrims seeking the help and intercession of Saint Seraphim. Believers from all over the city came here. At that time the church was not yet a parish church. Divine services were conducted there by a visiting clergyman from the cathedral (Znamensky).

Ivan Vasilyevich Puzanov in his spiritual will vaguely stated the status of the temple that he wished to build. He wrote that it would be a church at the school. But the question arose, how to understand these words? Either he wanted to make a house church for the city school, or he wanted to show the location that it was located not far from the school. And for 10 years after its construction, the temple was listed as a church-school according to documents.

Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Kursk

Following persistent petitions submitted to the city government by Bishop Pitirim, and then by Kursk Archbishop Tikhon, the church and the school attached to it were transferred to the jurisdiction of the diocesan authorities only in 1915. The church became a parish, and the separated school began to be called “Puzanovskaya” in honor of the merchant-philanthropist.

The community of believers existed here until the thirties of the last century. During Soviet times, the church was used for other purposes. The premises were given to the nearby secondary school No. 12. Celebrations and assemblies and sports activities were held here. Workshops, a gym, and classrooms were located on the territory of the temple. A similar fate befell many churches in Russia at that difficult time.

Attractions

There are many other temples in Kursk associated with the life of Prokhor Moshnin. The Sergius-Kazan Cathedral was built by his parents, Isidor Ivanovich and Agafya Fotievna Moshnin. At this place the first miracle in the life of the holy boy took place. A seven-year-old boy miraculously escaped certain death by falling from the high bell tower of the cathedral.

Sergius-Kazan Cathedral in Kursk

The Resurrection and Elijah Church was at one time the parish church for the family. Isidore and Agafya got married in it and baptized all their children, including the baby Prokhor. The funeral service was held here for the father of the family, Isidor Ivanovich, as well as his mother Feodosia Naumovna.

Many Kursk churches contain icons with the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov. There are several holy springs in the city and region, as well as erected monuments to the saint. Various holidays and celebrations dedicated to St. are often held. Seraphim or named after him, there are various educational organizations. Religious tourism is widely developed. There are numerous pilgrimage excursions around the city, the purpose of which is to introduce the earthly homeland of Seraphim of Sarov.

History of the temple in the name of St. Seraphim of Sarov

Current state

The life of the temple did not resume soon, after several decades, only in 1994. After the official return to the ownership of the Russian Orthodox Church, the church building was restored. The main altar in honor of Saint Seraphim was re-consecrated on January 15, 2006 by the local bishop, Archbishop German of Kursk and Rylsk.

A little later, a bell tower was built in the western part of the church, the height of which is 16.5 meters. Because of this, the entrance to the temple had to be moved and now it is crowded between two windows in another place, on the western side. Previously, the bell was also in the temple complex, but it was mounted on a wooden beam built into the church fence.

The temple is decorated in a style typical of many buildings of the late 19th century; it is called “brick”. It is characterized by simplicity of decoration and some roughness. Instead of snow-white stucco, red facade brick is used for external cladding, replacing plaster and other finishing elements.

Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov on the facade of the temple

The temple itself is small in size. Its central part is built in the form of a quadrangle, topped by a semi-dome with a spire and a crown. On one side (eastern) it is adjacent to a pentagonal apse with a walled-up central window. On the other, there is a rectangular refectory, and behind it is a chapel, to which a bell tower was later (2001) added.

The interior space of the church is arranged very harmoniously. Wall paintings in the form of floral patterns complement the carved frames framing the icons. The iconostasis in the church is three-tiered, with gilded elements, and occupies the entire altar wall. The main altar was consecrated in honor of St. Seraphim of Sarov, the chapel - Joasaph of Belgorod.

Sunday service of the rector... - Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov

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Activities of the parish

There is a Sunday school at the church. It teaches children the basics of the Orthodox faith, church history, introduces them to the Church Slavonic language, and helps them find friends among believers. They are gradually introduced to the course of the services so that the little parishioners can understand everything that is happening in the church, and they can consciously be present in it and pray together with everyone.

Interesting! Along with the Sunday school, the Orthodox youth club “Seraphim” operates at the church. Its opening took place on December 13, 2022. The founders of the club were Archpriest Georgy Annenkov, the rector of the church, and Deacon Alexander Polyakov, who took over the responsibilities of the leader, as well as Orthodox young people.

Meetings of club members are held on Wednesdays at 19-00 in the Sunday school premises. At them, young people become more deeply acquainted with the Orthodox faith, get to know each other better and communicate, raise interesting topics for discussion, plan pilgrimage trips, and so on.

Patronal holidays

Revered by Orthodox believers during his lifetime, St. Seraphim of Sarov became one of the most beloved saints of the Russian people. Soon after his death, the first life of the saint was compiled, and miracles of healing were performed at his grave.

Divine service in the Church of Seraphim of Sarov

In 1903, Seraphim of Sarov was solemnly canonized. It is this event that is remembered on August 1st and is the patronal feast of the church in Kursk on Gypsy Hill.

Another solemn date celebrated in the temple is connected with the veneration of Seraphim of Sarov - January 15 (the repose of the saint). On this day, Archbishop German of Kursk and Rylsk conducts the bishop's service, and the day before he also holds an all-night vigil in the Sergius-Kazan Cathedral, erected by the labors of the parents of St. Seraphim.

January 17 - veneration of the memory of Joseph of Belgorod takes place, a chapel in whose honor was attached to the church in the year of the canonization of this saint (1911)

Attention! Services in the temple are performed daily. The liturgy begins at 7-30 am, on Sundays and holidays a little later - 8-30. Vespers usually takes place starting at 17-00. Next to the church there is a stop “School No. 12”. You can get here by trolleybus number 3.

Kursk is located 540 km from Moscow. Getting here is not difficult at all, as the routes of various vehicles pass through the city. There are roads, railways and air routes here. You can travel either by personal vehicle or by comfortable buses, planes, and trains.

Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Kursk: reviews

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