Description of the attraction
The village of Opechensky Posad is located above the picturesque Borovichi rapids. The village received the status of "posad" in 1820, at the same time a self-government body was established there. Posad played a significant role in the history of the water system. The water system was created thanks to the initiative of Peter the Great; it was the pride of the "water industry". At the end of the 18th century. this waterway was considered one of the most significant hydrotechnical systems in Europe. In a short time, he passed a large number of ships with a variety of heavy loads.
The creation of this system is inextricably linked with the construction of the city of St. Petersburg. A good pier was built and equipped in Posada. A stone embankment (made of boulders) has survived to this day, its grandeur testifies to the significant contribution that Opechensky Posad made to the Russian economy. The dams of many reservoirs on river tributaries were opened, and thus the level of the passage for ships was raised. By this time, many barges were assembled in Posada (about 1500). Local pilots (they were also called "launching ships") lowered barges along the Msta River through the rapids. Historians describe the pilots as strong, handsome, respectable, healthy people who live in neat houses. Empress Catherine the Great increased the number of pilots to 120.
In Opechensky Posad there were two churches built in honor of the Mother of God and a thin bell tower with a spire, which consisted of three tiers. The main posad church was a stone one-domed church with three thrones in honor of the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. The large church was erected in 1764. In the old days there was a wooden church on this place, but over time it became dilapidated and it became necessary to build a temple of stone. In terms of architecture, it was a four-sided structure; a two-tiered high drum was built on it, which was crowned with an onion-shaped cupola. The refectory was attached to the four.
Nearby there was also a bell tower of three tiers with a spire. The bell tower was decorated with chimes. According to legend, the clock was made by a Frenchman who was taken prisoner during the Patriotic War of 1812. The bell tower was the pride of the parishioners of the church and the entire Opechensky Posad, and the crimson ringing of numerous bells was heard even in Borovichi. The largest bell weighed 301 poods and 20 pounds. This bell was made of 30 pounds of silver and had a special ringing. The weight of the fire bell was 190 pounds, and the sentry weighed 80 pounds. The rest of the bells were smaller.
The Assumption Church was painted, the interior was notable for its beauty and wealth. In the church there was a side-altar in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Outside the church, there is an image of the great saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, where he rescues a drowning sailor. Unfortunately, this image is currently covered with whitewash. River workers, setting off on a difficult journey through the Mstinsky rapids, made the sign of the cross in front of the temple, hoping for the intercession of the saint of God. The third throne of the Assumption Church was consecrated in the name of St. Nil Stolobensky (Novgorod monk, founder of the monastery). At first, the church belonged to the river workers (Ministry of Railways). Donations from merchants were brought to the decoration of the temple, who transported their goods through the Mstinsky rapids. Later, shipping ceased, and the temple was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Novgorod diocese. The temple was decorated with the ancient miraculous images of the Savior and the Mother of God "Assumption".
In 1914, the 150th anniversary of the founding of the church was celebrated. By this time, repairs were made, painting, and two revered icons were richly decorated with silver frames. The clergy and noble people of Posad were buried near the temple.
The Dormition Church was closed by the Bolsheviks in 1937. The building was rebuilt, it housed a knitwear factory, the bells were removed and broken, and the bell tower was dismantled into bricks in the 1940s.
In 1994, on the patronal feast day, the Divine Liturgy was served in the restored church. From 1995 to 2005, the church did not have an abbot. Therefore, until 2007, restoration work was carried out in the church.
