What a beautiful picture this is! There is so much light, so many delicate flowers... I really love this time of year when spring turns into summer. It seems to me that this is exactly what is in the picture. The greens are still quite fresh. The white church stands out very clearly. It has one dome, it looks so strict and solemn. The bend of the river is depicted very beautifully. Clouds and greenery are reflected in the water - very beautiful. There are also heroes in the picture. In the foreground is a woman in pink and white. She is with a small child. Maybe this is his first time going for a walk. That is, conscious, not when he sleeps in a stroller and sees the world through a curtain. Here the baby is playing with flowers and herbs. For him this is a whole new huge world. To the right is another group of people. It seems to me that these are nuns. Perhaps they are here on temple business - exchanging experiences. Or they are just local nuns, so they go for a walk after morning service. There's even a boat on the river on the left. There is no one in it. The tourist must have entered the church. Near the church there are houses and trees. The houses are bright and cute. It is clear that this is not a monastery, but a church - people live next to it. Perhaps they are connected to the church. They may sell souvenirs at the entrance or offer excursions along the river. Or they are simply those people who like a beautiful view. In the distance another white chapel with a characteristic dome is visible. In general, this is such a soapy place, where there are many church monuments. I mean, just ancient churches that are active. This is where pilgrims come from all over the world. It’s even strange that there is no bus parking visible here yet. Although these may be old times. I like the picture. First of all, flowers: pink is especially pleasant here (in the clouds and in the river). I like the feeling of calm and joy, and also freshness. Beautiful and bright picture. I hope that this place is just as beautiful in reality. And no tourist buses!
Stone craftsmen: who built it?
We can only say with confidence that it was built under Andrei Bogolyubsky, and most likely built by foreign masters.
In the 18th century, historian Vasily Tatishchev wrote that the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa sent his friend Andrey master builders who worked in Vladimir and Bogolyubovo. Since information about the masters from Barbarossa appears only in Tatishchev, and he cites data from some unpreserved chronicle, it is impossible to assert that these were precisely imperial masters; we also know nothing about Bogolyubsky’s own acquaintance with Barbarossa. The rulers could hardly have known each other personally, but it is possible that they communicated through ambassadors.
One way or another, European masters really come to the Vladimir lands, because all the pre-Mongol white stone churches of North-Eastern Rus' were built in the Romanesque style, which then dominated Europe from Portugal to Zalesskaya Rus'. Some researchers suggest that there were not many construction teams in Europe and they moved around different countries, fulfilling orders. The white stone buildings of Yuri Dolgoruky, the father of Andrei Bogolyubsky, that have survived to this day, were apparently also built by foreign masters, possibly sent to Yuri by the Galician Prince Vladimir. By that time, white stone buildings had been under construction in his domain for quite some time.
a lion
Leo too
one of the most common symbols, found everywhere in the West, not only in Romanesque buildings, but also in almost all centuries of architectural development. In the Vladimir-Suzdal lands, the image of a lion takes on another meaning - it becomes the personal symbol of local princes, starting with Andrei Bogolyubsky, and still remains on the coat of arms of Vladimir. Therefore, it is not surprising that the image of a lion is found on the walls of the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl many times and in different forms. You can even find the laughing king of all animals.
Pigeon
There are doves on either side of King David. With them everything is much clearer. Pigeon
- a symbol of the Holy Spirit and meekness. Paired with a lion, they form a very powerful semantic connection. Moreover, King David was often depicted surrounded by animals and birds. The temple is surrounded by images of women's heads. This is also a very common artistic element in Romanesque architecture. Why there are so many of them on the walls of the Intercession Church is difficult to say. Perhaps we are talking about architectural tradition. These images are an integral part of most Romanesque buildings of the time. Perhaps, in this case, the women's heads symbolize the Mother of God, to whom this temple is dedicated, as well as, let me remind you, most of the other churches built by Andrei Bogolyubsky.
Griffin carrying a doe
Another interesting image is a griffin carrying a doe
. In this case, the griffin can be a symbol of Christ, and the doe can symbolize the tremulous soul of a Christian. At least, this is how it is interpreted in Western European architecture. Over time, the bas-reliefs were destroyed, some were almost impossible to distinguish, something could have been changed during various restorations, and the presence of some images on the facades of the temple is simply difficult to explain.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the sculptures of lions
, which were found during archaeological research. It is difficult to say where their place was in the original appearance of the temple. They could stand on the pier - where the staircase that led from the entrance to the temple to the bank of the Nerl ended, or they could be placed right at the door at the entrance. Now an inquisitive tourist may have a question: what does the Nerl have to do with it? The temple is located on the shore of a small pond, and the river flows somewhat to the east. The answer is simple: over the years the Nerl has changed its course, and this small, partially overgrown pond is a fragment of the oxbow (old channel) of the river.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the sculptures of lions
, which were found during archaeological research. It is difficult to say where their place was in the original appearance of the temple. They could stand on the pier - where the staircase that led from the entrance to the temple to the bank of the Nerl ended, or they could be placed right at the door at the entrance. Now an inquisitive tourist may have a question: what does the Nerl have to do with it? The temple is located on the shore of a small pond, and the river flows somewhat to the east. The answer is simple: over the years the Nerl has changed its course, and this small, partially overgrown pond is a fragment of the oxbow (old channel) of the river.
Construction for the year: when was it built?
Another mystery of the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl is the date of construction. Chronicle data tells us that the church was built surprisingly quickly - in just a year (and not in two or four, as was usually built) and in memory of the son of Andrei Bogolyubsky, Izyaslav, who died in a campaign against the Polovtsians in 1165.
This point of view, based on the life of Prince Andrey (and he is canonized by the Orthodox Church), was introduced into scientific circulation by the most authoritative historian of church architecture and archaeologist Nikolai Voronin - the only one who studied the Church of the Intercession in detail, conducting serious archaeological research. However, not so long ago, having studied other chronicle data, Vladimir historian and local historian Tatyana Timofeeva (and some other researchers agree with her) moved the date of construction of the church to 1158. The chronicle says that Andrei, having come to these lands, built two churches in honor of the Mother of God - Nativity and Intercession. Rozhdestvenskaya, heavily rebuilt in the 18th century, is now located on the territory of the Bogolyubsky Monastery in the same complex with the remains of the princely palace. It is known that Andrei began to rule in Vladimir in 1157. The construction of the temple in a year is also explained quite simply: the Church of the Intercession is relatively small in comparison with the same Assumption Cathedral, it was quite possible to build it in a year.
Essay in Russian: Church of the Intercession on the Nerl
Church of the Intercession on the Nerl: mysteries of history.
In a picturesque place where the two rivers Nerl and Klyazma merge, not far from the village of Bogolyubovo, Vladimir region, there is a small white stone church.
Beautiful and graceful, it attracts the eye with its lightness and purity. This is a monument of Russian architecture, included in the list of World Heritage Sites. Church of the Intercession on the Nerl. Built by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky in 1165
, it is dedicated to a holiday that was previously unknown in Russia.
Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky is called an enlightener; he was distinguished by high culture, impeccable taste and charitable deeds. It is no coincidence that the prince received such a name. During his reign, about 30
temples were created.
Prince Andrei especially revered the Most Holy Theotokos, the intercessor of the Russian land, and dedicated all the churches he built to her. Before the bloody battles, the prince brought out the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Honorable Cross in front of the army and read a prayer. According to one version, during one of the campaigns against the Volga Bulgars, an inexplicable radiance began to emanate from the images of the Savior, Our Lady of Vladimir and the Cross. In connection with this event, construction of the temple began. According to another version, the church was built as a tribute to the memory of the eldest son of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, Izyaslav, who died from wounds received during the campaign. The Feast of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was honored only on the outskirts of Constantinople in the cathedral of the Blachernae Monastery, and was subsequently approved by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky without the consent of the Kyiv Metropolitan and the Patriarch of Constantinople, which was considered unheard of insolence. Andrei Bogolyubsky sought to unite the warring principalities into a single strong state with its capital in Vladimir. The image of the Most Holy Theotokos became the patroness and intercessor of Rus'. The place for the construction of the church was chosen not far from the chambers of Prince Andrey - Bogolyubovsky Castle. To prevent the church from being flooded during a flood, an artificial hill of cobblestone and clay more than 5
meters high was erected.
There are many mysteries and surprises surrounding the creation of the church. The fruit of inspired creativity, the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl, was created by skilled craftsmen in the image and likeness of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Bogolyubovo and, perhaps, formed a single ensemble with it. There is an assumption that it was erected as a defensive structure at the entrance to the prince’s residence and to Vladimir. Taking all the best from Byzantine and Western architecture, the temple acquired graceful lines. A slightly noticeable inward slope of the walls and many vertical straight lines convey the desire upward, towards God. The amazing sculptures on the walls are similar to the bas-reliefs on Western European Romanesque temples. Main decorative elements: David the psalmist, surrounded by lions and doves. But was the church built by followers of the Vladimir-Suzdal school or were foreign architects invited? There are doubts about the accuracy of the construction date. The source, which indicates 1165
and the sad reason for the foundation of the temple, dates back to
the 18th
century.
Could the author accurately describe the facts six centuries after the events? Like another chronicler dating back to the 16th
century, calling
1158
the year of the creation of the church.
The period of construction of the temple is also interesting. The chronicles indicate that the church was built in a year. Although it is known that the construction of the temple required at least 3
seasons.
In ancient times, the appearance of the temple looked somewhat different than it does now. During archaeological excavations near the church in 1858
, many slabs and carved stones were found;
in 1954
-
1955
, white slabs were discovered that paved the foundation of the church, as well as the foundations of the galleries surrounding the church.
It is likely that the dome was helmet-shaped. There are also doubts about the dedication of the temple to the Intercession. No other churches built in honor of the holiday belonging to that time have been found in Russia, and the icons date back to the 14th
–
15th
centuries.
The paintings found during restoration in the temple contain images of the Maccabean martyrs. The plot corresponds to another day, revered by believers, the Origin of the honorable trees of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord. This version is confirmed by a large cross made of white stone found not far from the church, dating back to the 12th
century, as well as the proximity of the church to the water.
Services in the temple began October 1 1165
.
A monastery was founded at the church by Andrei Bogolyubsky. Over the years of its existence, it came under the jurisdiction of the Patriarch, then the Holy Synod, was female, then male. During this time, the temple underwent renovations that slightly changed its appearance, and by pure chance it has survived to this day. Thus, in 1784
, the abbot of the Bogolyubsky Monastery appealed to the diocesan authorities with a request for permission to dismantle the church into stones.
They wanted to use them for monastery buildings. However, the temple was not touched, since the abbot was not satisfied with the cost of the contractor’s work. In 1877
, as a result of “repair” work carried out by the monastery authorities, workers damaged the frescoes.
In 1921
, the monastery was closed, services in the church stopped and were resumed only in
1990
. If you imagine that things can sound, then the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl is a chant. Sad, but deeply heartfelt, so characteristic of the Russian soul. The temple sounds, and David the psalmist leads the choir.
Why in honor of the Feast of the Intercession of the Mother of God?
This is the first known
There is a temple in the world dedicated to this holiday. We cannot say that there were no Churches of the Intercession before, but science knows nothing about them.
Let us recall that the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God was established in memory of the appearance of the Mother of God to the holy fool Andrew in the Blachernae Church of Constantinople during the all-night vigil. Moreover, it is believed that at that moment the city was under siege, and after a miraculous phenomenon the enemies retreated. This was in the 10th century. Why the holiday arose only 200 years later is a mystery. Although it is believed that it could have arisen earlier - in Byzantium, it was not so popular among other Mother of God holidays. From Byzantium he migrated to Kyiv, and from there he came to the Vladimir lands.
Andrei Bogolyubsky was sensitive to the veneration of the Mother of God, and almost all of the churches that he built and are now known are dedicated specifically to the Most Holy Lady.
Whether this was really something personal for the prince, or whether the special veneration of the Mother of God in Constantinople played a role is difficult to say now.
But the temple erected under Andrei Bogolyubsky turned out to be not only the first dedicated to the Intercession, but also the only one for the next 200 years.
Churches of the Intercession began to appear en masse only in the 14th century.
Interior decoration of the temple
Those who visit the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl are not allowed to take photos. However, from the descriptions of those who visited there, it can be noted that the internal structure of the temple supports the same idea, namely, aspiration upward. The vaulted pillars, slightly tapering towards the top, visually increase the height of the temple. The dome seems to simply float in the sky, especially when illuminated by light. Initially, it was decorated with the image of Christ Pantocrator surrounded by archangels and seraphim. The walls were decorated with colorful frescoes and the floor was covered with colored majolica tiles.
All this decoration, of course, became dilapidated over the centuries, but it was completely destroyed in 1877, when they decided to restore the temple. I would like to note that, despite the destruction, the church retained the main thing that the builders and architects tried to give it. It was a striving upward, which is still visible today, the superiority of spiritual values over material ones. Obviously, this is what allowed the temple not to fade away among many similar ones, but, on the contrary, to rise. In 1992, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Do the current and original appearance of the temple coincide?
We also know nothing about the original appearance of the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl. There are several reconstruction options. In general, we can safely say that it has largely retained its original appearance. Back in the 19th century, archaeologist and architectural researcher Nikolai Artleben conducted an inspection of the temple and small excavations near it. At a distance of 2.5 meters from the walls, the remains of white stone structures were found in the ground. Artleben suggested that these could be fragments of buildings that have not survived. Almost 100 years later, Nikolai Voronin conducted quite a large-scale archaeological study of the surroundings of the church and also found white stone structures and foundations. According to him, these could be the remains of white stone galleries that adjoined the temple on three sides - southern, northern and western. Based on his data, he made a scientific reconstruction of the supposed original appearance of the church with open galleries. There are other reconstruction options; some scientists believe that the galleries could have been built later, for example, during the reign of Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest, who developed the traditions of white stone architecture.
The secret of the architects
The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl is rightfully considered an architectural monument not only of national but also of world scale. For all its laconic forms, it is the brightest example of the Russian style of architecture and served as a canonical model for the design of other churches.
The place for the construction was not chosen by chance - in the old days there was an intersection of busy river and land trade routes, but it was quite unusual, because the temple was built on a water meadow in the place where the Nerl flows into the Klyazma.
The unique place also required a non-standard approach to construction. In order for the building to stand for centuries, the architects used a non-standard method during its construction: first, a strip foundation (1.5–1.6 m) was made, the continuation of which became walls almost 4 m high. Then this structure was covered with soil, the resulting hill became the foundation for the construction of a church. Thanks to these tricks, the church has successfully resisted the annual onslaught of water for centuries.
An interesting fact is that, if you believe some pictures from the chronicles of the monastery, the original image of the structure was significantly different from the modern one. This is confirmed by excavations carried out in 1858 by the diocesan architect N.A. Artleben and in the 1950s by N.N. Voronin, a major specialist in the field of traditional ancient Russian architecture. According to their findings, the church was surrounded by vaulted galleries, which gave its decoration a resemblance to the solemnity and pomp of Russian towers.
Unfortunately, the names of those who built the masterpiece of Russian architecture have not survived to our times. Historians have only established that, along with Russian craftsmen and architects, specialists from Hungary and Lesser Poland also worked - this is indicated by the characteristic Romanesque decorative features skillfully superimposed on a traditional Byzantine basis.
The interior decoration is striking in its sophistication. The original paintings have not survived; most of them were lost during the “barbaric” repairs in 1877, which the monastery authorities started without the approval of the diocesan architect. Restored and new design elements combine so organically with each other that they create the impression of a single whole.
The temple also has its own architectural features: despite the fact that the walls are built strictly vertically, it seems that they are slightly tilted inward. This is especially noticeable in photographs taken inside the church. This illusion is created thanks to special proportions and pillars that taper towards the top.
Another atypical feature of the church’s decor is carved reliefs depicting King David. His figure is central on all three facades. In addition to David, depicted with a psalter, the reliefs feature paired figures of lions and doves.
King David and the beasts: who and why is depicted on the walls of the temple?
Of the churches from the time of Andrei Bogolyubsky, it was Pokrovsky that preserved its façade decor almost in its original form.
It is quite simple, especially in comparison with the decor of later churches during the heyday of white stone architecture under Vsevolod the Big Nest. But in this simplicity one can discern considerable symbolism. Its main component is the bas-reliefs.
King David
On three facades at the top there is an image of the biblical King David
, which was often used in European architecture as a symbol of a wise and just ruler. King David is surrounded by lions.
Pilgrimage to the Church
According to numerous visitors to the church, it has an unspoken charm. Obviously, this is why the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl (photos confirm this) is so popular for pilgrims even now. The temple is active, services are regularly held there, the rest of the time it is a museum. You cannot take photographs in it, so if you want to capture the internal structure of the temple, then most likely this will not work.
Arriving at the church, you can listen to the history of the construction of the temple, the history of Prince Bogolyubsky. They also sell photos and books that you can purchase to keep images and descriptions of the temple as a souvenir. The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl makes an indelible impression on everyone.
By the way, the visit to the temple itself goes quite quickly, so on the way back you can visit the Bogolyubsky Monastery, and you can also go to Suzdal and Vladimir. This will be quite an exciting journey from which you will bring back a lot of impressions. Also in Bogolyubovo you can buy souvenirs to suit your taste, which are made by local craftsmen.
Spills: why in this place?
The first thought that arises when you step onto the tiled path that leads to the church from the railway is what prompted Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky to build the temple in this particular place? Just a couple of kilometers from here was his own residence, Bogolyubovo, where he lived with his warriors. But until now, almost the entire meadow during the spring flood is covered with water from the flooded Nerl and Klyazma, the water approaches almost the temple itself, without touching it only because of the elevation on which it stands. This hill is also artificial - it was poured during the construction of the temple.
First version
- this was the so-called ceremonial princely temple, which was built at the entrance to the Vladimir principality by water along the Nerl and Klyazma rivers.
The life of the blessed prince (later - 18th century) tells us that Andrei Bogolyubsky founded a monastic monastery at the Church of the Intercession. The monastery here is indeed known, but as an active one only since the 16th century, although it was apparently founded much earlier. Therefore, many researchers ignored the later message from the “Life” and defined the Church of the Intercession not as a monastery, but as a ceremonial princely church.
Such temples are well known. This is the church in the complex of Andrei Bogolyubsky’s palace, and the temple in Kideksha, which was built by his father. This could be the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl. Princely churches always had choirs, but not to house the church choir - it was the place of residence of the prince and members of his family. There, up there, according to some researchers, Communion was brought to the prince.
Some researchers refutes the first version, believing that in 1158 Andrei Bogolyubsky had no time for ceremonial churches. On the side where the church was built, there was hostile Volga Bulgaria - although not threateningly close, but if something happened, it would attack from this side, and then the ceremonial church would be the first to suffer. Ceremonial churches can be erected on important trade routes for Vladimir towards Novgorod and Kyiv, but not in this place.
Second version
— the temple was a monastery. At the same time, there is an opinion that it was not just a monastery, but an entire fortress that guarded the borders of the Vladimir principality. Whether this is true or not, it is impossible to answer now. Archaeologists have not yet found any remains of the walls; the monastery was abolished along with many others during the reign of Catherine II.
At the same time, apparently, the galleries were destroyed along with the entrance to the choir, and the temple itself was almost dismantled due to its dilapidation. The only thing that saved the church was that the abbot of the Bogolyubsky Monastery could not agree on a price with the contractor
. So it has stood in its place for almost a thousand years, meeting and seeing off everyone who comes from all over the world to look at the creation of human hands every day.
Photo by Alexey Pichugin
Background to the emergence of the church
The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl has its own history, which is quite vague, since it was a long time ago. According to some reports, the idea of building a church came to Andrei Bogolyubsky after the Bulgars were defeated. By the way, the Feast of the Intercession at that time was quite young in Rus', and the victory was attributed to the patronage of the Mother of God. Since then, when warriors went to battle, they asked the Mother of God for intercession.
This temple, according to some sources, is the first of those dedicated to the Feast of the Intercession. This is also the memory of the son of Prince Andrei Izyaslav, who died from wounds in the battle against the Bulgars.
