Church of the Vertical Image of the Savior (not-made-by-hands) in Bolshoye Svinorye
The history of the Church of the Savior in the village of Svinorye can be traced back to the end of the 19th century, although there is evidence that there was an older wooden church on this site, possibly built during the time of the Moscow Principality. The village was located on an important route — the old Kaluga highway, which served as a backup to the Smolenskaya Road. The first post office was located in the vicinity, where horses were changed. The temple was built on a hill, the highest point of the area, which made it possible to see it from afar, and the bell ringing could be heard for many kilometers. According to legend, the village used to be called “Zvinorye” — from the word “ringing”. During the Patriotic War of 1812, these places became one of the bases of Denis Davydov’s partisan detachment. The French were afraid to go deeper into the forests, which allowed the partisans to operate successfully. Many of Davydov’s associates found their last refuge in the surrounding forests. The modern red brick Church of the Savior was built in 1892-1895 by architect S.V. Krygin in the pseudo-Russian style. The building has a traditional composition: a two-light quadrangle with five chapters, an expanded refectory and a two-tiered bell tower with a hipped roof. The temple is decorated with rich decor: curbs, flaps, kokoshniks and other elements. The land for construction was allocated in the middle of the 19th century, which is confirmed by ancient maps. According to the clerical gazette of 1916, the church was built at the expense of court counselor Nikolai Kazantsev and church donations. It has three altars: the main one in honor of the Miraculous Image of the Savior, as well as the side chapels of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and St. Nicholas. Two zemstvo schools operated at the temple, and the church elder, peasant Vasily Gusev, served since 1902. After the Revolution of 1917 Part of the temple’s property was seized, but services continued. In 1971, the authorities planned to close the church, citing the lack of parishioners. However, the rector, Archpriest Vasily Brylev, managed to defend the temple. Thanks to his efforts, major repairs were carried out in 1976, and in 1999, with the support of parishioners and Gagarin JSC, the temple was completely restored: the murals were updated, the domes were replaced with gilded ones, and a new fence was installed. In 2003, a two-storey parish house was built next to the church, and in 2007-2008 the gilding on the altars was renewed. Today, the Church of the Savior continues to serve as a spiritual center for residents of the surrounding villages. Its main altar was consecrated in honor of the Miraculous Image of the Savior, and in the refectory there are side chapels of St. Nicholas and the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.
Address: Bolshoe Svinorye, 1, p. 1
