Has Your Favorite Russian Church Always Been a Church?

Sounds like a weird question? Well, it is not if you consider Russian history. During the Soviet Era, in fact, some churches were used for different purposes and were turned into various kinds of buildings. This is why the wonderful church you have just visited may hide a secret background.

Works of art stored in a work of art

Let’s start with the famous Church of St. Nicholas in Tolmachy. During the Soviet Union time, this one was used as a storage chamber for art works and today it has an agreement with the State Tretyakov Gallery right next to it. It hosts what is said to be a present of the Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, the Our Lady of Vladimir Icon, one of the major pieces of Russian Religious Art.

 Cinemas & swimming pools

This did not only happen in Moscow actually, we can find similar examples in cities all over Russia. For example, the Tikhvin Temple in Niginsk was turned into a cinema during the Soviet Union, and the makeover was radical. After the Cupolas of the church were removed, it was to tell that it had once been a church. Also the Lutheran Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in St. Petersburg drastically changed during the Soviet Period. In fact, it underwent multiple transformations: at first it was turned into a storage hall; then it became a swimming pool in 1962, as the altar was replaced with a diving board. Nowadays they both serve as churches again, but remember their past when you will visit them next time!

Stables or gym?

Another church in Moscow went through a major transformation in the Soviet period and completely changed its purpose. The Church of the Resurrection has completely changed multiple times – and not only during the Soviet Era. It served as stables when Napoleon entered Moscow and a gym for the workers of the sausage factory nearby and only in 2006 it was returned to the Orthodox church.

The book archive

In addition, it is worth mentioning the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael in Bronnitsy, that was turned into a book archive during the Soviet Era.

Are you as surprised as I was when I first discovered that? Looking at the churches right now it is hard to tell that they haven’t always been places where people go to pray, but that’s another interesting outcome of Russian history! So, next time you visit them, take your time and try to look for some clues of their past. Of course, comment and tell us if we missed some churches or cathedrals with an unexpected background!

Are you in St. Petersburg right now and you are looking also for other beautiful churches with a regular past and maybe not so well-known? Then check out our post Church Hopping in St. Petersburg!

Posted by Chiara Lodi