St. Nicholas Church in Rastvorovo

Meshchovsk, Kaluga Oblast, Russia, 249240

Let's help this Christian Church to start living according for its intended purpose

Restoration of St. Nicholas Church, built in 1800 in the village Rastvorovo, Russia

Hundreds of Russian Orthodox Christian Churches spend their last days of a centuries-old history.
After the revolution of 1917, a new government of Russia had published the decree about the mandatory separation of Church from state and school from Church. The Church was deprived of all property and legal rights. Parochial schools and churches in the countryside began to close down.

St. Nicholas Church, built in 1800 in the village Rastvorovo, was closed and damaged at the end of 1930, the bell tower was destroyed too. The mill, then manufactory and a warehouse were placed in the building of the temple.

Detailled Description

Village Churches are not only religious buildings. They are also the soul of Russian people and outstanding monuments of architecture and art. The whole life of the village was inseparably associated with this Church, beginning with the baptism, wedding and until the death day. A parson gave farewell to the newlyweds for family life, heard confessions, gave communion, and taught to live according to the Christian Commandments. There was a parochial school in the village, which was supported by public funds.

St. Nicholas Church in the village of Rasvorovo was built in 1800 in the style of classicism instead of a wooden church. Even after two centuries, the wonderful architecture of the temple evokes awesome admiration of ordinary people and professional architects.

There were only three churches with similar original architectural style in Russia. The other two were Church of St. John the Baptist in Belozersk and The Church of the Savior in Moscow. The latter became a prototype for their "younger sisters".

The Church was built by the famous Russian architect Bazhenov V. I. The central entrance is framed by brick columns, the same columns frame the light windows of the temple’s tholobate. There is an additional round light window above each aperture of the lower tier which improves the illumination. The small refectory adjoins from the west side of the church. It has a separate entrance with an arched window and brick semi-columns. A three-tiered bell tower adjoined to refectory from the left which is now destroyed. Interior decoration of the church are interested for architects. There are a large number of stucco moldings, high arches, arched partitions with rather narrow apertures and unusual play of light and shadows in the main hall. One of the chapels of St. Nicholas Church, which was build later in 1869, is dedicated to St. Sergius of Radonezh.

Residents of Rastvorovo celebrated two holidays: the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on the December 19^th and the feast of Sergius of Radonezh on the October 8^th. Peasant families treated relatives and acquaintances from neighboring villages with the best dishes during the holidays. Jelly, ham, noodles, oil seal, rye cakes were served on the table. During the Second World War, German soldiers entered the village on the October 7^th, 1941, who vandalized the Church.

Village Church is the soul of the Russian people. This soul was forced to remain silent...

Restoration

Restoration of the church began in 2015. Hieromonk Seraphim oversees the restoration of the temple. We want to believe that the ringing of the bells of the St. Nicholas Church, stopped for a while, will be heard again in the village of Rastvorovo and all over the district.

The work in the Church is ongoing and our aim is to raise the minimum funds required that will have the maximum overall impact right now on the future of the building.

We need to make a major overhaul of the foundation, floor, dome, walls with brick masonry, window and door openings.

First stage work plan:

scaffolding (15 cubic meters of lumber needed)
- main part
- rotunda
- cupola
brickwork under the cupola
repair of the metal frame of the cupola (if required)
installation of holy rood
copper cupola covering
cupola rafter system
repair of the refectory

Together, we can make history. Please help this Christian Church function according to its intended purpose!

Other ways you can help

Even if you can't make a donation you can still really help by:

spreading the word by telling your family and friends about our campaign
sharing our campaign using Social Media such as Facebook and Twitter

The Project Team

Vasily Leksin

My grandfather on the paternal line was born in Rastvorovo and my ancestors lived there too. The second World War forced my relatives to leave their home in Rastvorovo and move to another area. The house was destroyed. Last summer I was travelling along the native edges of my ancestors and saw one thing: the restoration of the temple was begun in Rastvorovo. I am fond of the idea of Christianity and I believe that a Christian worldview can make this world better. I also believe that the restoration of rural life is impossible without the restoration of churches, as it`s places where the spiritual life of society is accumulating. I decided to spend my earnings on those people who took up this complex project and transferred 2000 euro from my own funds. However, the restoration requires large financial additions, and there is practically no state funding for the restoration of temples in our country. Therefore, I decided to appeal to not indifferent people for help. I believe if everyone cares about their small homeland, will simply help the Christian deal and preserve historical monuments, then our world becomes kinder. The funds, received from this campaign, will be transferred directly to Hieromonk Father Seraphim, who oversees the restoration process and uploads a detailed photo process`s report on the site of the temple.

Hieromonk Father Seraphim

Father Seraphim is a rector of the St. Nicholas Church. He received a rich experience in St. George's Monastery in Meshchovsk and now oversees the restoration process.