Church of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa in Kachalovo
The Great Martyr Paraskeva, called Friday, is venerated as one of the early Christian saints of the 3rd century. She was born in Iconium in Asia Minor to pious parents who named their daughter Paraskeva, meaning “Friday”, in honor of the day of the Savior’s Passion on the Cross. Having taken a vow of virginity, she dedicated herself to preaching Christianity, for which, after refusing to offer sacrifices to idols, she was subjected to brutal tortures: she was torn with iron nails, burned with torches, and ultimately beheaded. The Orthodox Church commemorates her feast day on October 28 (November 10). In icons, the saint is depicted as an austere ascetic with a crown and a cross in her hands, revered as a healer of severe illnesses and a guardian of family well-being. Historically significant is the church dedicated to her, originally built in the village of Kiovo-Kachalovo in the 16th century and destroyed during the Time of Troubles. A stone building was constructed in 1692-1694 at the expense of Prince Ivan Shcherbatov, and by the early 20th century, it was significantly reconstructed according to the design of architect I. Blagoveshchensky, being consecrated in its renewed form in 1904. After its closure in the late 1930s and the loss of its interior, the church was returned to the Church in 1990. Its great consecration was performed by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II on November 10, 1998. Currently, the church actively conducts missionary and catechetical activities: a Sunday School, creative drawing and singing clubs, and the historical club “Lessons in Politeness” operate, and Gospel discussions are held. Social ministry includes a clothing collection and distribution point, targeted assistance to low-income and large families, and spiritual care for patients at Hospice № 3.
Address: Moscow, Starokachalovskaya St., 8, building 1
