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Church of the Nativity of Christ in Komarovo

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Every Orthodox church has its own patronal feast, often giving the church its name. Among them, Christmas churches dedicated to the twelve great feasts, such as the Nativity of the Virgin or the Nativity of Christ, hold special significance.

In the early 20th century, there were several Christmas churches in the Kungur district, but by the beginning of the 21st century, only one remained, the Nativity of Christ Church in the village of Komarovo, in the Komsomolskoye rural settlement. In the past, the village was often called Christmas due to this church.

The history of the Komarovo church dates back to the 17th century when the first settlers built a small church. The modern church was erected in the 18th century, during a time when baroque forms were popular in provincial architecture. Its construction in 1767 was mainly financed by the parish, with little contribution from the parishioners.

The Nativity of Christ Church in Komarovo has become a monument not only because of its age but also due to its architectural beauty. Its elegant silhouette with a tall tiered bell tower is noticeable from afar. Among the features of the church is a layout in the shape of a 'ship', elongated along the east-west axis, and the presence of two floors, each with its own altar. The lower altar is consecrated in honor of the Nativity of Christ, while the upper one is dedicated to the apostles Peter and Paul.

Over the years, the church has undergone numerous repairs. From 1876 to 1879, a two-story stone corridor was added to the bell tower, which had tilted to the west, becoming a buttress. Twenty years later, the foundation was reinforced by adding an internal sloping wall and facing the plinth with stone. The interior was then updated, the walls were plastered, and new iconostases were ordered. In 1903, the lower iconostasis was renewed, and later, 2063 rubles were collected for a new iconostasis in the upper church.

Deacon Dmitry Vasilyevich Kalachev, one of the clergy of the church, witnessed all the changes in its appearance at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. He was born on October 26, 1872, into the family of a psalmist. At 19, he graduated from the Kungur city school and became a public teacher. On November 18, 1891, he was appointed psalmist at the Komarovo church. Six years later, Kalachev became a deacon and was transferred to the Kungur John the Baptist women's monastery, but soon returned to Komarovo. By the early 20th century, he and his wife Maria Matveyevna had six children, and they lived in their own wooden house with Dmitry's mother, Alexandra Ivanovna, who worked at the church.

During Kalachev's service, several priests changed at the church, and there was a visit from the Bishop of Perm and Solikamsk, Nikanor. During this period, persecutions against the church began. In 1919, Kalachev and his family left the village of Komarovo following the retreating White Army.

During the Soviet era, the church, like many other shrines, faced persecution, but during the period of perestroika, its restoration began, with the participation of the descendants of the clergyman D.V. Kalachev.

Geo point

Церковь Рождества Христова в Комарово

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