Pyatnitskaya church in Chernigov: photo and history

How ancient Greeks worshiped GodMercury, erecting temples in his honor, as the Slavs, honoring their patroness merchants, St. Paraskeva, built in her honor churches, called Fridays. Such a name they inherited from small chapels, built once on the boundless Russian roads. The Pyatnitsky church in Chernigov, which will be discussed in this article, is one of them.

Church built in Chernigov

So it was led that the center of social lifeof any ancient Russian city was its sales area. It was on it that the most significant events took place, and most importantly, trade was conducted, which was the basis of his well-being, and sometimes the cause of decline. And it is not surprising that it was on shopping areas that temples were erected in the name of the saint, who patronized this important occupation.

That is why in Chernigov, founded in IXcentury, and by the middle of XII received completed urban outlines, the posadsk officials have attended to the construction of the church in honor of the holy servant of God, whose patronage was so necessary for the local merchant class. The Pyatnitsky church in Chernigov, whose description has survived to this day, was the fruit of their pious works.

The period of spiritual revival of Ukraine

The Pyatnitsky church in Chernigov was built ona spacious shopping area, even before its appearance, called the Pyatnitsky field. We must immediately note that in the life of the city it began to play such a prominent role that it soon became the main shrine of the women's Chernigov monastery that formed next to it, burnt in the fire of the fire of 1750. However, documentary information about what form it had in this early period of its existence is practically absent, and its first detailed description refers to the end of the XVII century.

This period in the life of Ukraine was marked by stormythe process of its spiritual and cultural revival, led by a whole galaxy of outstanding religious figures. Vividly he appeared in Chernigov, due to its geographical position, is the closest city to the Moscow State. It was in him that the new architectural trend, known today as the Ukrainian Baroque, was born and developed.

New look of an ancient church

Of the documents that have survived to this day,that by the end of the 17th century the Pyatnitsky church in Chernigov, which had already been almost five centuries of its history, was very dilapidated, and its overhaul was required. All the troubles, and most importantly, the costs associated with such a difficult business, took on a rich patron, who became known for his activities aimed at restoring the monuments of Chernigov's antiquity - Colonel General of the Ministry of Transport Vasily Stepanovich Dunin-Barkovsky.

At his guardianship completely reconstructedPyatnitskaya church in Chernigov has acquired the appearance of magnificent and pompous buildings, made in the above-mentioned style of Ukrainian baroque. The sophistication of its facade attracted everyone's attention, and already in those years it became one of the brightest sights of the city. However, the work carried out completely deprived of its historical appearance, created once by ancient masters.

Changes made to the architecture of the building

Only in our days as a result of scientificIt became known that originally the Pyatnitsky church in Chernigov (12th century) was a rectangular building, measuring 12.4 x 11.4 m. It was a traditional cross-domed building for that time. To him from the west side were three altar apses - semi-circular extensions, in which altars were placed. Inside the room, four powerful columns held the dome and vaults.

During the works carried out in the 17th century,the main volume of the building was added additional extensions, the head was added, which changed its overall height. The walls of the church were decorated with magnificent jagged gables. The old windows were expanded and added new ones. A number of other changes were introduced as well.

The troubles experienced by the church

In the future, its form has changed many times. Fires, frequent visitors to ancient cities, did not bypass the church, erected on the Pyatnitsky field. Every time after the next fire disaster the building had to be repaired, and it acquired new features.

Thus, before the XX century it came, repeatedlychanging its original appearance. During the Great Patriotic War Pyatnitskaya church was almost completely destroyed. The photo, given in the article, gives an idea of ​​the scale of its destruction.

Restoring the original appearance of the church

In 1943, immediately after the liberation of Chernigovfrom the Germans, work began on the preservation of church ruins, which helped to avoid their eventual destruction. It was during this period that some of the original architectural features of the building were established.

Due to this, during the restoration workgroup of architects, headed by Professor PD. Baranovsky, managed with great accuracy to reproduce the building erected on the site as early as the pre-Mongol period. Thus, the current Pyatnitskaya church in Chernigov, photos which are presented in an article in their appearance is very similar to the original.

Today is an ancient shrine

In the Soviet years, in a restoredthe ruins of the temple housed the museum of the famous "Lay of Igor's Campaign", the coeval of whose creation is its former building, erected in the XII century. After the collapse of the USSR, the temple was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, and in our days is in force.

Every year on November 10, according to the new style, Orthodoxcelebrate the memory of the Great Martyr Paraskeva. On this day the Pyatnitsky church in Chernigov, where its miraculous icon is located, is filled with hundreds of prayers. Located in the center of the present square named after Bogdan Khmelnitsky, it is well known to all citizens.

Known primarily for its patronageSt. Paraskeva Friday for many centuries intercedes before the Lord about all people with faith and reverence addressed to her in prayers, regardless of what their requests are.