Description of the attraction
A beautiful decoration of the city is the Intercession-Nikolsky Church in Klaipeda. Its architecture reflects the canons and traditions of Russian Orthodox architecture. It was founded in 2000, at a time when many Orthodox churches began to be restored and built. But its construction was not easy: with prayer and donations, material costs and the diligence of not only the clergy, but also the parishioners themselves.
Since 1946, the Orthodox Church of All Saints, built in the center of the city, operated in Klaipeda, but over time it became insufficient for the needs of Orthodox residents; therefore, it was decided to build a new church on the outskirts of the city. The side-altars of the temple are consecrated in honor of the Protection of the Mother of God and St. Nicholas. And it is no coincidence, since St. Nicholas of Mirlikia has long been recognized as the patron saint of sailors and all those sailing on the waters, and in the port city the consecration of a temple in his honor is natural. Also, the Protection of the Mother of God, one of the most revered holidays in Russia, denotes the protection of the Mother of God of the suffering, traveling and all Christians.
The area for construction was chosen - Smiltyale. It was not easy to determine the place for the temple, as the soil was unstable, unstable. But with great difficulty, an island of solid soil was discovered. And from the very beginning of the construction on the consecrated site, prayers were held, which were performed by Archimandrite Anthony Buravtsev and Archpriest Elijah Shapiroya. The parishioners helped not only by prayer, but also by opening fundraising at the fairs organized by them. Everyone helped as much as they could: they carried out subbotniks, helped to dig a foundation pit, built forests, were on duty. The building was brought under the roof quickly enough. In the Nikolsky side-altar, the "Calvary" and the iconostasis were installed, the work of the Vilnius woodcarver Vladimir Podgorny, many icons were painted by the local artist Margarita Artamonova.
During the consecration of the Nicholas throne, the pilgrims observed unusual natural phenomena: at the beginning of the procession, the strong wind suddenly stopped, the storm subsided and three rainbows appeared over the temple, as a sign that the Protection of the Mother of God was present above them.
But there were still many difficulties to go through. The lack of material resources, the experience of the construction site manager influenced the fact that in 2001 the work was suspended for almost three years. The unfinished construction of the church was not put on conservation, and therefore was subjected to destruction, and in order to continue the work it took a lot of efforts, including material ones.
In 2004, the Lithuanian Orthodox diocese appointed an experienced clergyman - the dean of Kaunas district, rector of the Annunciation Cathedral, Anatoly Stalbovsky. Since the parish had no funds left at that time, they had to resort to the help of sponsors, they were donors Alexander Popov, Vladimir Romanov, Vladimir Stefanov. At the expense of local entrepreneurs, the dome of the bell tower was also installed, a parish library was created. Other residents of the city also rendered help: they decorated, equiped the temple. And now everyone who took part in the construction of the temple can rightfully be proud of such a magnificent architectural complex.
The temple was built by the project of the Russian architect Dmitry Borunov. It was built by construction specialists from the Dabor workshop in Penza. Not one new temple was built by their labors on the territory of Russia and beyond. The buildings blend harmoniously with the natural landscape. The flowing forms of the temple, semicircles, semi-vaults, and apses create the impression of an elegant design. The whole structure resembles the architecture of the temples of Ancient Russia. On the feast of the Protection of the Mother of God in 2007, Metropolitan Chrysostos of Vilnius and Lithuania consecrated the iconostasis and bells in the new church.
Currently, the church complex is almost completely completed. A bell tower, a church house, where a Sunday school and a library are opened, have been built. The foundation was laid for the priests' house and workshops. Most of the Orthodox inhabitants of the city of Klaipeda became parishioners of this wonderful church. The parish is nourished and served in the church: the dean of Kaunas-Klaipeda district, archpriest Anatoly Stalbovsky, archpriest Fr. Grigory Neguritsa, priest Alexander Orinko.
Reviews
| All reviews 5 Valeria 2016-19-09 17:07:20
Perfectly! I myself live in Klaipeda and I think that this is a wonderful temple! I advise you to come and see.
