Georgievsky Church on Poklonnaya Hill

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

St. George's Church on Poklonnaya Hill is located next to the Museum of the Great Patriotic War.

Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow

Poklonnaya Gora is a historical place where many events related to the history of Russia took place. Ambassadors of the Crimean Khan Mengli Giray came here, and Polish troops stopped when approaching the city. Napoleon in 1812 was waiting here for the keys to Moscow to be brought to him. Not far away is the Kutuzov hut, where a meeting of generals was held before the Battle of Borodino.

Before, the capital was much smaller, and the mountain was higher, it offered a beautiful view of the city.

In the 20th century, Victory Park was founded on Poklonnaya Hill. A memorial dedicated to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War was built for the 50th anniversary. A 142-meter-high stele is installed in front of it, the territory is decorated with fountains. There are exactly as many as the days of the war.

Shrines of Poklonnaya Gora

In 1992, the famous architect A. Polyansky created a project for St. George's Church on Poklonnaya Hill, which was built with some changes and consecrated in 1995 by Patriarch Alexy II.

The appearance of the temple shows traditional forms for ancient Russian architecture, reminiscent of ancient Novgorod churches. Naturally, modern building materials and technologies were used during the construction. The church is very bright inside thanks to the glass walls.

George's Church on Poklonnaya Hill has a magnificent iconostasis and mosaic icons. Famous sculptors Z. Anjaparidze, I. Tsereteli took part in the production of bronze bas-reliefs on the facades.

In 1997, the relics of St. George, which are in the temple on Poklonnaya Hill, were donated from Jerusalem.

In Fili, next to the Kutuzov hut, there is a church dedicated to the Archangel Michael. The church was founded in 1910, closed in 1930, and in 1994 it was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church, restored and re-consecrated in 2000.

George the Victorious and Archangel Michael - heavenly patrons of warriors

In memory of the Orthodox who laid down their lives on the battlefields, St. George's Church was erected on Poklonnaya Hill.

Georgy the Victorious himself was a talented military man. He was born in Cappadocia in a believing family, his father was killed during the persecution of Christians. Having entered the service, with his exploits and courage, George soon attracted the attention of Emperor Diocletian, who promoted him and made him governor, which was a very high rank in those days.

However, the fact that Hieromartyr George professed the Christian faith infuriated his patron when he found out about it. The emperor highly valued his militarymerit and promised forgiveness to the saint if he renounced the faith. He subjected him to the most terrible torture for several days, and then cut off his head.

George's fearlessness, his fidelity to the faith, the way he bravely endured suffering for Christ, made him one of the beloved and revered saints. He is considered the patron saint of warriors in many Orthodox countries.

Archangel Michael, who leads the angelic host, is also a strong patron of those who fight for truth and justice.

Prayer for those who gave their lives for victory

There are not only Orthodox churches on Poklonnaya Hill.

Part of the complex in honor of the victory in the Great Patriotic War is a memorial synagogue dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. It was opened in 1998 in the presence of the President of Russia.

In 1997, the construction of a memorial mosque in honor of the fallen soldiers of the Muslim faith was completed.

When is the Church of St. George open?

Services in churches on Poklonnaya Hill are held as scheduled. Liturgy is served daily.

Christenings and weddings are often held here, and it has become a tradition for newlyweds to visit St. George's Church on Poklonnaya Hill on their wedding day.

Bholidays there are a lot of people here: pilgrims come here to the relics of the holy martyr George, military personnel come after taking the oath to pray at a prayer service for future service, veterans. There is a Sunday school. Once a year, on Easter week, all the hymns at the liturgy are performed by children.