← Back to feed · Map

Church of Archangel Michael in Chervishevo

Фото 1
The church in the village of Chervishevo was built in 1898 thanks to the efforts of local peasants. It looked majestic: it stood on a brick foundation with a tall bell tower visible from afar. The roof was covered with iron sheets, and six domes crowned the vaults. The walls and ceilings were decorated with floral ornaments, and both outside and inside, the church was clad in planks and painted white. The construction was overseen by contractor Kossma Andreevich Fugayev, and all the villagers participated in the work, bringing logs from the forest.

The interior of the church included life-sized icons, an iconostasis, and double doors: the inner ones made of wrought iron, and the outer ones wooden. The church grounds featured a watchman's lodge, flower beds, and a garden. The priest's house stood opposite the church, and another church house was located on church land. The fence made of cast iron was shaped like crosses and monograms. The church was heated by three stoves. According to the "Church News" of 1914, the church had one altar, consecrated in honor of Archangel Michael.

From 1898 to 1908, the name of the priest is unknown. There are burials on the grounds, but their occupants are not identified. In 1908, 36-year-old priest Gerasim Vasilyevich Izmailov arrived for service. He began his duties on September 24, 1908. It is known that Father Gerasim was the son of a retired non-commissioned officer, graduated from the Omsk Teacher's Seminary, and worked as a teacher in various educational institutions. In 1899, he was ordained as a deacon and then as a priest. Father Gerasim served in the church for over 25 years, continuing his work after the October Revolution until 1936, when many neighboring churches were already closed. His further fate is unknown.

The church housed the icon "Not Made by Hands", gifted by Archpriest Ioann Sergeyev to the Chervishevo school, as evidenced by the inscription. In 1997, this icon was returned to the church.

In 1936, the crosses and bells were thrown down, and the bell tower was destroyed. The bells were used for heating the school, and the icons were thrown under the wheels of trucks. Some icons were supposed to be burned, but part of them was used for household needs. Believers managed to save only a few icons. During the years of persecution, the church was used as a grain warehouse, a club, and a beer bar.

In May 1997, thanks to the efforts of priest Sergey Kistin and the villagers, the church was returned to the believers. The building was in poor condition. On November 21, 1998, on the feast day, Bishop Dmitry visited the church, and the next day the first liturgy was held after a 60-year break. Church icons began to return, and the church was restored in stages: first the facade and bell tower, then the interior finishing.

Geo point

Церковь Михаила Архангела в Червишево

Comments