Description of the attraction
In Pereslavl-Zalessky, namely on Sadovaya Street, building 5, there is one of the most famous churches of the big city - the Church of Peter the Metropolitan. This temple is one of the rarest buildings that operate independently. Presumably, the temple was built no earlier than the 17th century on the site of a previously existing old wooden church, the very first mentions of which in chronicles date back to 1420. The Church of Peter the Metropolitan is located on a large territory of the former “sovereign's court”. It is believed that it was in this place that Saint Metropolitan Peter lived when he was in Pereslavl.
As soon as the decision was made to build a church, it became clear that the temple would be consecrated in the name of St. Peter, who at one time was the metropolitan of not only the Kiev principality, but also of all Russia. As you know, Metropolitan Peter has always been especially revered by Orthodox believers. During his lifetime, he was able to transfer the metropolitan see from the city of Vladimir, in which it was previously located, to Moscow, which happened at the invitation of Prince Ivan Kalita. Shortly before his death in 1326, Metropolitan Peter began the foundation of the famous Assumption Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin.
From the history of Russia, one can learn that the life and deeds of Metropolitan Peter fell at the height of bloody princely strife. His activity is also known for the fact that he tried with all his might to try on restless princes among themselves and visited a large number of cities, in which he conducted numerous sermons. The burial of Saint Metropolitan Peter took place at the Assumption Cathedral next to the altar of the cathedral. In 1339 he was canonized. Moscow princes venerated this saint during his lifetime, which is why there are several chapels in churches, including the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, which are dedicated to him.
The church in Pereslavl-Zalessky is completely unusual in its form, because, according to the plan, it is represented by a cruciform and is absolutely devoid of any apses protruding to the outer side. The temple has a faceted tent, which is exhibited in several rows, consisting of kokoshniks. Initially, the main temple volume was surrounded by an open gallery or gulbisch, but after some time, namely in the 17th century, the gulbisch's arcade was simply laid. In 1793, the lower church, consecrated in honor of Michael the Archangel, was built in the temple basement. The bell tower that exists today has a high spire, and its construction took place in the 19th century on the site of the old belfry that preceded it.
As for the interior decoration, it belongs to the 19th century, while large ancient doors leading to the upper temple have survived to our time.
After the wooden church of Metropolitan Peter fell into almost complete disrepair, it was decided to build a stone church. It is believed that the decision to build a stone church came during the last years of the reign of Ivan the Terrible, who especially venerated Metropolitan Peter as his patron. Most likely, Ivan the Terrible donated funds for the construction of a church in Pereslavl, with which the tsar had close ties, namely the arrangement of the large Nikitsky monastery, as well as private mantises, which were once erected in the name of the most significant and memorable events of the temple. Many historians argue that Ivan the Terrible wanted to immortalize Tsarevich Ivan, the son he had killed, in this particular way.
In the middle of the 19th century, restoration work was carried out in the temple under the leadership of Academician V. V. Suslova. After some time, the temple was restored again, while in the course of the work the old roofing form was completely restored. Later, in the period between 1965 and 1968, the restoration continued again: the original shape of the windows was restored, the brickwork was renewed, but the plaster of the 19th century was knocked down.
In 1988, articles were published in which the population of the city was invited to take an active part in the restoration work of the church. In 2009, large-scale renovations were carried out, as a result of which residents and guests of the city were able to admire the original work of art again.
