Protestant churches in Moscow. History and modernity

In Moscow, as in all of Russia, people of many religions live. There are Protestants among the residents of the capital. They are not too many, in comparison with the Orthodox, but nevertheless they are. For their worship, they have temples, some of which were built long ago and have a solid history. Currently, Protestant churches in Moscow conduct mass work among parishioners and are actively developing.

History

In the capital, Protestants began to appear in the middle of the 16th century. Almost all of them were Europeans, who were invited to the service. Many of them were military, doctors, artisans, merchants. Gradually, they became more and more, and over time they built the first Protestant church, which was consecrated in the name of Archangel Michael. It happened in the late 16th century, it was wooden, small and was in the German settlement. It was from this moment on that Protestant churches in Moscow originate.

Over time, a schism occurred among them, caused by a quarrel. Because of this, in the middle of the 17th century, a second church was built, for a new community. It was located on Pokrovka, in the center of Moscow. But she, like their old church, did not last long. A few years later, because of the numerous complaints of Orthodox priests, Protestant churches in Moscow were demolished.

The decree was adopted, according to which all foreigners who did not accept Orthodoxy were to be relocated to the Yauzsky Sloboda. A few years later, members of the Protestant community decided to re-build the church of St. Michael. Two years later it was erected. This time it was not wooden, but stone. A few years later, Peter the Great personally founded a new Protestant church named after the apostles Peter and Paul. In his presence, she was consecrated. This temple lasted more than a hundred years and was burnt during a fire in the capital, in 1812.

Years went by, the number of foreigners professing this branch of Christianity increased and new Protestant churches opened in Moscow. This continued until the October Revolution, during which the Bolsheviks came to power in the country. All churches, including Protestants, were closed, and many clerics were sent into exile or were killed. Religious decline continued until the collapse of the USSR.

Revival

In modern Russia, the Protestant community of Moscow is steadily increasing. Old churches were rebuilt and opened, new ones are being built. Divine services are held regularly, all religious holidays are celebrated. Many parishioners go to Protestant churches in Moscow. They actively participate in many events conducted by clergy.

In Moscow, there are several Protestant churches, both recently built and old enough. The most famous are the Anglican Church of St. Andrew, the Lutheran Holy Trinity of St. Peter and Paul and the Evangelical Christian Baptists. Of course, the full list of spiritual buildings is much more solid. But these Protestant churches in Moscow are the most famous.

St. Andrew's Anglican Church

This spiritual building is the only one in the capital of Russia. This church is multinational, and divine services, which are conducted only in English, are attended by representatives of 40 different branches of Christianity.

It is the center of the Moscow Deachestvo, which also includes spiritual buildings in Vladivostok, St. Petersburg. In the church building is an educational center, a large library, anonymous alcoholics society and a Sunday church.

Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity

This church is located on the territory of the Vvedensky cemetery and is part of the parish of the same name. Originally, the building in which it was performing the functions of a simple chapel and was built in the early 20th century. But after that it was expanded, landscaped and became a church. Subsequently, it was closed for many years, like many other spiritual buildings of the USSR. Only at the end of the 20th century, this and other Protestant churches in Moscow again began to work, the addresses of which remained the same.

Despite the small size and the fact that it is in the cemetery, there are always a lot of parishioners in it. Especially on holidays. Bali carried out work on its ennobling, also equipped the area around the building.

Lutheran Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul

When talking about the historical Protestant churches in Moscow, we have in mind primarily the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, which is the main in the regional Lutheran church in the European part of Russia. It is one of two officially functioning temples in Moscow. In addition, he is one of the oldest parishes of this church in Russia.

He is also one of the most beautiful. A lot of work was done and considerable funds were invested in its internal and external decoration. And also all the necessary church utensils for worship services were purchased.

Church of Evangelical Christians-Baptists

In the Small Trehsvyatitelsky Lane there is one of the oldest Baptist religious institutions. This church was built in the middle of the 19th century. Initially, the building in which it is located was an ordinary residential house. But the architect Herman von Nissen, it was rebuilt into a church.

As we can see from the written above, the Protestant churches in Moscow are developing quite actively, new spiritual institutions are being restored and are being built, and a great deal of public work is being conducted among the parishioners.