CHURCH OF FLORA AND LAVRA IN UGLICH: HISTORY, DESCRIPTION

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In the central part of Uglich, on the right bank of the Volga, there is a temple with an interesting history. The beautiful five-domed church is dedicated to the patrons of horses and stables - the holy martyrs Florus and Laurus. Its predecessor appeared in the city in the Middle Ages - during the time of the appanage principality. Once upon a time, Konyushennaya Street passed by the temple, along which one could walk to the eastern gates of the Uglich Kremlin.

Temple history

The exact date of the foundation of the church is unknown. There was little space on the territory of the Kremlin, so the prince decided to move his stables to the right bank of the Volga. It was then that the first church was erected in honor of Florus and Laurus. The wooden church miraculously survived during the Time of Troubles, and in the Scriptures of 1683 it is referred to as "the church at the stables." Then it was a small one-domed building with a refectory.

View of the Church of Flora and Lavra from the territory of the Uglich Kremlin

In 1762, parishioners raised money and replaced the dilapidated church with a stone one. The thrones of the Resurrection of Christ and the Holy Mother of God appeared inside. There was no place for the side-altars of Florus and Lavra, but the residents of the city continued to remember the main purpose of the church and kept an old icon with images of saints. In tsarist times, among the common people, the temple was called the Resurrection or Resurrection-Florovsky, and in the 20th century they began to be called the Church of Flora and Lavra.

Under Soviet rule, the church suffered greatly from the anti-religious policy of the state. In the 1930s, the slender bell tower was demolished. The builders repainted the walls, rebuilt the two-sided porch and redesigned all the interior spaces.

View of the Church of Flora and Lavra from the pier

As a result of the alterations, the building has changed beyond recognition. The headless and voiceless church stood alone in the middle of the park on the Volga embankment, and the premises in it were occupied by various organizations. Everything would have ended deplorably if in 1960 the authorities of Uglich had not recognized the old temple as an architectural monument and had not taken it under state protection.

In 2005, the restoration of the temple began, and in October 2008 new domes sparkled. In the same year, the church was consecrated again, and regular services began to take place here.

View of the Church of Flora and Lavra from Ostrovsky Street

Architectural features and interiors

The temple building was built in the best traditions of Uchlich craftsmen - in "three lights", that is, it has three rows of windows. Above, on small thin drums, there are neat bulbous heads. The elongated windows are framed by baroque-style platbands.

Previously, the temple had two operating floors - the upper "summer" and the lower "warm". Now only the lower floor is used for worship, and the educational and mission center is located at the top. The bell tower has not yet been restored.

Useful information for tourists

The Church of Florus and Lavra is perfectly visible from the river. When cruise ships sail along the Volga, tourists are happy to admire the harmonious proportions and golden domes.

The temple looks less impressive up close. Although it is operational, restoration work is ongoing. Pilgrims and connoisseurs of Russian architecture can get here for free. The doors of the temple are open to everyone from morning to evening.

The church is assigned to Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral... A Sunday school is open at her, and a library of spiritual literature is working.

How to get there

The ancient temple stands on the street. Ostrovsky, 1a. To get to it from the Uglich railway station, take any bus that goes to the city center and get off at Uspenskaya Square. From here to the temple along the streets of Yaroslavskaya and Svoboda 10-15 minutes walk. Uglich bus station is located 750 m from the church.