Description of the attraction
The Church of the Archangel Michael is a cultural and architectural monument of the 17th century. It was built in 1650. It is located near the town of Ostrov, at the mouth of the Kukhva River. In ancient times, bobs lived here, that is, lonely landless peasants who usually lived in such graveyards. Mikhailovsky Pogost is located on the Velikaya River, on its left bank. This is a very picturesque place. The exact time of the construction of the temple of the Archangel Michael and other Forces of the Unless is unknown. However, all speculation indicates that it dates back to around the 15th century. Thus, this temple is the oldest in the area. Its walls, which are already more than five centuries old, testify to this.
According to the klirovaya vedomosti, in 1790 the right side-altar was added in the name of the Hodegetria of the Mother of God. The funds for the construction of the temple were donated by the landowner Alexei Pozdiev. Previously, the temple was painted, as evidenced today by traces of frescoes on the walls.
The attraction of the Church of the Archangel Michael is the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which is located here. Even in appearance, we can say that this icon is very ancient. Also noteworthy is the fact that in the narthex there is an inscription about the burial in 1783 in this place of Avdotya Yakhontova, the wife of the collegiate assessor. There is no more information about her, perhaps she donated funds for the restoration and splendor of the temple. Other parishioners are buried under the walls of the temple.
A bell tower was built at the temple. Attention is drawn to two bells that were cast during the reign of Boris Godunov. The funds were allocated by the Sumorotsk landowners. Further, the appearance of the temple has undergone strong changes up to the present day. In 1908, the reconstruction of the side temple began. Its area has increased significantly. The temple expanded noticeably, became larger in length and height. A part of the southern wall was also removed from the main temple. Instead, a brick arch was made. Towards the end of 1909, construction and finishing work was completed. After that, a new iconostasis was erected, created with donations from parishioners. In 1910, the official consecration of the temple took place.
However, the further fate of the church in the 20th century is sad and reminds of the history of other shrines and places of worship in Russia. Just half a century later, in the 60s, the temple practically fell into disrepair. When the last priest who served here at this time died, the temple was almost completely destroyed and plundered. But his complete disappearance did not take place, thanks to the labors and prayers of the abbess of the Spaso-Kazan women's monastery. Abbess Matushka Markella made a lot of efforts to revive the dilapidated temple. Her monastery courtyard is located next to the Mikhailovsky churchyard. In just three years, the temple was revived again.
The first liturgy in the restored church was held in 2009. Today, almost a century after its last restoration, we can say that it has found a second birth, and its fate will not repeat the history of other temples, which are completely dilapidated and gone into oblivion. Now the parish is being reborn in the church. Pilgrims arrive. They are always welcome here. Not far from the temple, you can bathe in two springs. There is also an annual children's Orthodox camp in two shifts, which is located at the Svyato-Vvedensky monastery. The rector of the church is Father Dmitry, who lives next to the church. He also works hard to revive the parish and restore the temple.
Despite the fact that the church has changed noticeably in recent years, there are still not enough funds for its complete revival. For example, ancient paintings that need to be restored are waiting in the wings.
