Description of the attraction
The first mentions of the Church of the Archangel Michael date back to the end of the 15th century. Other information refers to 1772 - then the church was built of wood and had two thrones. The main altar was consecrated in honor of the Archangel Michael, and the chapel was dedicated to the great martyr Catherine.
To date, the appearance of the former church has not been preserved, because its existence ended on the night of December 6-7, 1812. The church was almost completely burned down, but the sacred Antimension was still preserved, which was consecrated and signed on March 25, 1772 by Metropolitan Gabriel.
In 1820, the restored church was consecrated in the name of Michael the Archangel, after which it became operational, although finishing work was still carried out in the interior decoration. The entire church was completed in 1829. The new church became a haven for residents of the Mikhailovsky village. The following villages were also attributed to the parish of the temple: Zvanka, Duboviki, Boronichevo, Borisova Gorka, Kobeleva Gorka, Perevoz, Valim, Borgino, Bor and Porogi.
There is information that 6,600 rubles were spent on the construction of the stone church. The temple had 2 thrones, the main one of which was dedicated to Michael the Archangel, and the second to the Great Martyr Catherine.
According to archival documents from 1846-1847, a parish school functioned at the church, in which the parish priests were teachers. According to 1903 data, the church school consisted of one class with a training course of 4 years.
Despite numerous repressions and measures against the Orthodox faith during the Soviet era, the Church of Michael the Archangel existed until the end of the 1930s. At this time, Vasily Shibaev was the deacon, and Nikolai Murzanov was the priest. In the summer of July 11, 1938, the church was closed, and an educational institution PVHO was organized in its place.
Throughout the Great Patriotic War, a pharmacy warehouse was located in the building of the temple, and after it there was a dairy factory workshop and a household chemicals warehouse. After the church parish was completely liquidated, dangerous chemical reagents, as well as paint and varnish combustible materials were stored in the premises, causing irreparable harm even to the stone. In the altar part, a large-scale extension was built, designed to store the available raw materials - this structure somewhat distorted the interior view of the building and the whole plan in general.
In 1984, the warehouse of the chemical plant was moved to another location, and the erected annexes were liquidated due to severe dilapidation. Later, the temple building fell into complete disrepair, because there was no heating or security in it, and it was destroyed at an incredible speed. There are photographs of 1985, which show the destroyed dome and bell tower, while all the ceilings are completely lost, which largely affected the impressive part of the pre-altar space (under the dome).
In the summer of 1988, a new abbot, Yakhimets Andrey, who had previously served at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Novaya Ladoga, was sent to the destroyed church. This person was able to assemble a new community, which was registered in 1991. The primary task of the community was the restoration and revival of the Church of the Archangel Michael. On March 22, 1992, the first liturgy was held in the church. During 1993, major repairs were carried out, and in 1995 the temple was again consecrated in honor of Michael the Archangel. In 2009, a new iconostasis was built in the Church of Michael the Archangel, designed by the artist Nikolai Pachkalov.
Today, the church contains a holy particle of the Mamre oak, which was presented to the abbot of the temple during his pilgrimage. Another relic is a reliquary cross covered with gold, which contains the relics of some saints.
