Address: Russia, Kasimov, st. Sverdlov
Start of construction: 1753 year
Completion of construction: 1765 year
Coordinates: 54 ° 56'28.3 "N 41 ° 22'46.3" E
Content:
When you sail along the Oka to Kasimov from Ryazan, the first to be seen is the old Church of the Life-Giving Trinity or, as the Kasimovites themselves say, the Trinity Church. The White Church rises on a high coastal hill and noticeably dominates the surrounding buildings. It has been standing since the middle of the 18th century and attracts the attention of all believers and tourists.
General view of the church
Temple history
The first Trinity Church was wooden. Mentions of her can be found in the scribes of the first half of the 17th century, compiled by the decree of the Russian Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov. According to the documents, the church had two side-chapels - Nikolsky and Sergievsky, and many ancient icons were kept.
A beautiful brick church was built in the middle of the 18th century, thanks to the money raised by the parishioners and donated by the Kasimov merchants Nikita Semenovich Verein and Alexander Grigorievich Polezhaev. Records of this have been preserved on the porch located at the entrance to the temple.
The construction of the stone church began in 1753 and ended 12 years later. In 1772, a bell tower was added to it, on the second tier of which there was a small temple of Our Lady of Hodegetria. Church services were held here only once a year - on June 28. The "merchant" temple was richly decorated and kept many religious relics. The Gospel of the mid-17th century was considered especially valuable.
View of the northwest facade of the church
The church had four thrones and served as one of the Orthodox centers for the residents of Kasimov and nearby villages. Every year, on Spirits Day, a crowded procession took place around her. The Trinity Church was rebuilt several times, and the townspeople did not spare money for its decoration and improvement.
With the advent of the new government, the fate of the temple changed dramatically. In 1922, rich decorations, silver vestments from icons and valuable liturgical utensils were completely requisitioned. At the same time, the ancient Gospel disappeared, the fate of which remains unknown to this day.
By the decision of the Kasimov authorities, the Trinity Church was closed at the end of September 1938. For 16 years, it stood useless, and then the building was handed over to the local quarry administration for an outbuilding. The old temple was returned to the faithful only in September 2002. The church was immediately consecrated and the relics of the new martyr Sergius of Kasimovsky were transferred to it. After 5 years, the side-altar, equipped in the name of Sergei Radonezh, was consecrated.
View of the church bell tower
An old church today
The tall snow-white temple "by ship" was built in the traditions of the provincial baroque and has the status of a cultural and historical monument of federal significance. It consists of a church, a squat refectory and a high octahedral bell tower.
The main volume - an octagon on a quadrangle - has an oval altar apse and ends with a small drum and a neat gilded cupola. The proportions of the wide refectory are significantly distorted by alterations that were carried out in the 19th century. The slender bell tower is surrounded by a two-tiered gallery-gulbische. It offers an excellent view of the green Oka valley and the opposite bank of the river.
Today the Trinity Church has been completely restored. The walls were painted, the roof was replaced, the domes were gilded and the interiors were restored. The church territory is surrounded by a metal fence and landscaped. Gradually, the church turns into the richest church in Kasimov. Services are held here on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Church and refectory view
Two side-chapels have been consecrated in the church, several revered icons and a reliquary are kept. The temple holiday is celebrated on December 18 - the day of memory of the confessor Sergiy Kasimovsky. Thanks to its rich history, not only believers but also tourists who like to travel around the cities of the “Golden Ring” of Russia love to visit the old church.
How to get there
The Trinity Church stands on Sverdlova Street, 1B, 0.8 km north-west of the old Cathedral Square. People get from the capital to Kasimov by private vehicles and regular buses. It is not difficult to walk from the city bus station to the church in 25-30 minutes. You can also take a taxi here.
