Address: Russia, Kasimov, pl. Nikolskaya, 23
Build date: 1705 year
Shrines: Mitinskaya Icon of the Mother of God, Kasimovskaya Kazan Icon of the Mother of God "Prayer of Eldress Justinia"
Coordinates: 54 ° 56'24.5 "N 41 ° 23'12.6" E
Content:
There is an old temple half a kilometer from Cathedral Square. This is one of the oldest Orthodox churches in the city, whose history began at the beginning of the 17th century. Nikolsky Church rises on the edge of the historical buildings, at the highest point of Kasimov. Due to its beauty, it attracts the attention of all pilgrims and tourists who travel along the routes of the "Golden Ring" of Russia.
Nikolskaya Church from a bird's eye view
Temple history
According to historical documents, where the Nikolskaya Church is now located, from the XIV century there was a Kasimov fortress, which protected the city from enemies. In the 17th century, the Nikolsky Monastery appeared here, and there was a small wooden church dedicated to Nicholas the Saint. Information has been preserved that there was a cemetery at the temple, which means that it could have a more ancient history.
Over time, the part of the city lying to the north of the Nikolsky ravine was called the New Posad. The Russians preferred to settle on it, while the lands on the opposite side of the ravine were historically occupied by the Tatars.
In 1703, a resident of the posad Yakov Petrovich Yatskov proposed to build a new stone church for the monastery. The need for stone construction arose due to strong fires, which from time to time destroyed wooden churches and houses of townspeople.
The authorization letter for the construction was signed by a colleague of Peter I - Metropolitan Stephen of Ryazan and Murom. When the temple building was ready, the chapel in it was consecrated in memory of John the Warrior. The role of the monastery church was played by the new church until 1778, when the Nikolskaya monastery was finally ruined. After that, the church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker became a parish church.
View of the church from Pionersky lane
In the 60s of the XIX century, the church was reconstructed, adding two chapels to it from the south and north. Because of this, the temple complex lost its former slenderness and began to look rather heavy. The alterations affected not only the St. Nicholas Church. Many Orthodox churches in Kasimov and Ryazan province were spoiled with squat side extensions.
Nikolsky temple remained the only one in Kasimov that was not closed during the years of Soviet power. However, during the expropriation of church values in favor of the starving in the Volga region, all liturgical utensils and silver vestments from the icons were removed from it. During the harsh wartime, church services in the temple were briefly stopped. Since 1944, the Nikolskaya Church began to play the role of the cathedral church of the local diocese, and until 1990 it was the only functioning church of Kasimov.
Architectural features and interiors
The Nikolskaya Church is a typical "ship" temple for the Russian province, stretched from west to east for more than 40 m. The central place in the temple complex is occupied by a two-height quadrangle, which is completed by a closed vault and a hipped roof. On the east side, it is adjoined by a large semicircular altar apse, one floor high. The squat refectory continues the quadrangle, and side-chapels are located on both sides of it.
View of the church from Nikolskaya square
The external decor of St. Nicholas Church is simple and unpretentious. Its facades are decorated with cornices and blades, and window openings are decorated with triangular pediments and semi-columns.
To the west of the temple there is a slender three-tiered bell tower, ending with a high drum, over which a small dome with a spire rises. Nikolskaya bell tower noticeably rises above other buildings of Kasimov, and therefore plays an important role in the architectural ensemble of the historical buildings of the city.
The church has preserved a carved, gilded iconostasis made in the 18th century. In the middle of the last century, restorers restored the wall paintings and supplemented them with new frescoes on biblical themes.
State of the art
The Nikolskaya Church is a functioning temple, which has the status of an architectural monument of federal significance. Three thrones are consecrated in it. Services are held here twice a day - at 8:00 and 17:00. Believers especially revere the image of Nicholas the Wonderworker kept in the temple, where he is depicted with a ball in one hand and with a temple in the other. For pilgrims and tourists, the doors of the church are open daily from 8.00 to 19.00.
View of the church from the east
How to get there
The Nikolsky Church stands at 23 Nikolskaya Square, 0.5 km north of Cathedral Square. It takes 6 hours to get from the capital to Kasimov by regular buses that leave from the bus station near the Shchelkovskaya metro station. Kasimovskaya bus station is located one and a half kilometers from the church, and it is not difficult to reach the temple on foot.
