Church of the Assumption (Dormition) of the Virgin in Gonchary (Moscow)

Russia / Moscow / Moscow / Goncharnaya ulitsa
 Baroque (architecture), Russian Orthodox Church, 17th century construction, object of cultural heritage of federal importance (Russia), Orthodox church

Church of the Assumption (Dormition) of the Virgin on Goncharakh was built in 1654 on the site of a 16th century wooden church that had burned during the Time of Troubles. The cubic style, stone church with four star-spangled blue domes and a larger golden central dome has a ship layout similar to the much newer Church of St. Nicholas on Bolvanovka. The refectory was attached in 1702 and modified in 1764. Still later, in 1774, the chunky bell tower was added. The onion domes and crosses date to the early 19th century.

The church is decorated with ceramic tiles made by the potters who commissioned the structure. Particularly noteworthy are some by master craftsman Stepan Ivanov Polubes, who also made decorations for the Church of St. Gregory of NeoCaesarea in Zamoskvoreche, the Churches at New Jerusalem, Andreevsky Monastery and Izmailovo. Note also the frieze under the eaves on the north side of the refectory and the ceramic images of the four Apostles on the drum of cupola over the chapel, which are unusual for an Orthodox church. These faience tiles from the Kuznetsov porcelain factory were added to the western annex in 1898.

The church was closed in 1918 and reopened in 1948 under the auspices of the Bulgarian patriarchy. Most of the interior dates to the second half of the 19th century, but the iconostasis includes icons from the 17th and 18th centuries. The place of honor in the iconostasis is the icon of the Dormition of the Virgin, depicting the body of Mary ascending into heaven after her death. The main relic is the "wonder working" icon of the Virgin with Three Hands, which was sent from a monastery on Mount Athos in 1661. Legend tells that the during a time of persecution, the icon painter's right hand was cut off and after a nightlong vigil before this icon, it grew back together. In gratitude, he added a third hand to the image of the Virgin. Opposite this icon is one with three saints, St. Aleksei, St. Barbara and St. Basil the fool who is depicted naked.
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Coordinates:   55°44'31"N   37°39'1"E
This article was last modified 5 years ago