Description of the attraction
Nicholas the Wonderworker, one of the most revered and famous Orthodox saints, in Moscow alone, many churches were dedicated. One of them is located in Ulansky Lane, in Derbenevo and is also known as the Church of St. Nicholas of Mirlikisky in Olkhovets or New Streletskaya Sloboda. One of these names was obtained from a tributary of the Olkhovka River - a stream with the name Olkhovets, flowing nearby. The area around the stream was swampy and overgrown with trees and bushes - a real jungle, perhaps from this it was named Derbenyov.
Saint Nicholas lived in the III-IV centuries in Byzantium, was born in the Roman province of Lycia and was the archbishop of Mirlikia. Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered the patron saint of sailors, so one of his miracles was associated with the resurrection of a sailor. Also Nikola the Pleasure patronizes other travelers, children and merchants.
The current stone church in Derbenevo, consecrated in his honor, was built at the beginning of the 18th century. Before that, a wooden church, erected at the beginning of the 17th century, stood on the site of the temple. The stone temple was built on merchant donations.
In addition to the main throne of St. Nicholas, the church also has two side-chapels in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh and the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow". Architect Konstantin Bykovsky, also known for his work on the project of Moscow University, took part in the planning and construction of these side-chapels in the 19th century.
In the last century, the temple was closed from 1927 to 1994. At the dawn of Soviet power and in subsequent years, the appearance of the temple was changed as a result of barbaric interventions: not only were the heads and upper tiers of the bell tower demolished, but also extensions were erected, which distorted its appearance. The building of the temple was also used as a garage. Today it is recognized as an architectural monument of federal significance.
