Church of the Resurrection (Ascension) of our Lord (on the Big Rise) at Nikitsky Gate (Moscow)

 Second Empire (architecture), Russian Orthodox Church, object of cultural heritage of federal importance (Russia), 1810s construction, Orthodox church

This was a parish church built on the estate of Prince Grigori Potemkin (1736-1791). Although begun in 1798, it was unfinished at the time of the 1812 fire and was damaged significantly. The original architect has not been determined, and the church is sometimes attributed to Matvei Kazakov or Afanasy Grigorev (1782-1868). Fyodor Shestakov made modifications when the construction finally restarted in 1827, and the church was not completed until 1845.

The simple neo-classical design has a large central cube, topped by a single broad dome. Both the apse and vestibule are the same height. A planned bell tower was never constructed. Osip Bove may have added the Ionic columned porticos on the north and south facades.

In 1831, Aleksandr Pushkin married Natalya Goncharova in the unfinished vestibule. It is said the marriage was ill fated from the start because of bad omens during the service, a cross fell from the wall, candles extinguished of their own accord, and during the exchange of rings, one dropped. Many were not surprised when Pushkin died, wounded in a duel, defending the honor of his wife.