Church of St. George the Victorious
The Church of St. George the Victorious is an active temple of the Russian Orthodox Church, located on Poklonnaya Gora in Moscow. It was built as a memorial to the Great Victory in World War II and a tribute to the fallen soldiers. The foundation stone was laid on December 9, 1993 and, the ceremony was led by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia. On May 6, the church was consecrated. In 1995, the 50th anniversary of Victory was celebrated, and the location for the construction of the temple was carefully chosen. Poklonnaya Gora is a significant landmark in Moscow, and Saint George the Victorious, who the temple is dedicated to, is revered as the heavenly protector of the capital and the defender of the Orthodox faith. The temple houses an important Orthodox relic – a fragment of the remains of Saint George the Victorious from Cappadocia. This precious gift was presented to the temple by Patriarch Diodorus of Jerusalem in 1998, underscoring the significance of this place not only for Russia but also for the Christian world. Architecturally, the temple combines modern elements with traditional Russian church design. The architect, Anatoly Polyansky, designed a building that seamlessly integrates with the surroundings of Poklonnaya Gora. Polyansky was known for his other works, including the design of the Artek Pioneer Camp complex in Crimea, the Zhemchuzhina Hotel in Sochi, and the USSR Pavilion at the Brussels exhibition. He successfully combined conciseness and monumentality in the Church of St. George the Victorious, creating a sense of grandeur and solemnity. The decoration of the church deserves special mention. Bronze bas-reliefs by the renowned sculptor Zurab Tsereteli decorate the walls. On the bell tower, there is a “Deisus” panel by the artist Evgeny Klyucharev. Interior paintings were created by the artel “Joy”, under the direction of Boris Alekseev. The three-tiered iconostasis, containing 48 images of saints, became the centerpiece of the interior. It was crafted by the renowned icon painter Alexander Chashkin. Today, the temple is an important centre for spiritual life and tradition. For decades, the tradition of spiritual care for military personnel, cadets, and students of military schools has been developed here. Many of them take their oath at the Victory Museum, which is located nearby, and then come to the church to receive the blessings of St. George the Victorious. Today, the rector of the church is Archpriest Serafim Nedosekin, who has worked hard to maintain and increase the importance of the church as a place for prayer, remembrance, and spiritual strength. The building, full of symbols of victory and the Orthodox faith, continues to serve as a living reminder of our people’s heroism and sacrifice.
Address: Moscow, Victory Park
