Description of the attraction
The stone chapel on Teatralnaya Square was built in 1867 by the Saratov Guild Society in memory of the miraculous rescue of Emperor Alexander II from threatening danger on April 4, 1866. On that day, a pistol shot from Dmitry Karakozov (a graduate of the Saratov men's gymnasium) did not reach its goal, thanks to the intervention of a layman who was nearby.
The chapel was consecrated on April 4, 1869 by the Right Reverend Ioannikios, its decoration, due to lack of funds, continued for another 6 years and the provided bas-reliefs on the walls depicting events from the reign of Emperor Alexander were never completed. The chapel was open to parishioners and was attributed to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which is why it was called among the people Alexander Nevsky.
From the construction of the altar at the expense of the merchant Yegorov, the chapel was turned into a church and consecrated by the Reverend Hermogenes on April 4, 1910 in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Life-giving source".
In 1933, the chapel was closed and demolished. In 1997-1998, it was recreated according to drawings and other documents by the diligence of the newly elected Saratov governor, and on Bright Sunday, April 19, 1998, it was consecrated by Archbishop Alexander in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Life-giving source". Nowadays, the chapel is open to parishioners and, being an integral part of the history of Saratov, adorns the main square of the city. There is another attraction next to the chapel - a monument in the form of an Orthodox cross to the creators of Slavic writing, Cyril and Methodius.
