Chapel of the Archangel Gabriel on the walker. There will be a temple on Khodynka Field! Interview with Priest Vasily Biksey

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Restoration of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh, blown up in Soviet times, on the Khodynka Field in Moscowit was planned to be completed as part of a program to build 200 new churches for the upcoming 700th anniversary of the birth of St. Sergius in 2014. However, a few days ago, a message was published on the Moskomarkhitektura website about an open international competition to develop an architectural concept for the Khodynskoye Pole park, in which there was no mention of the construction of a temple in a designated location. Priest Vasily Biksey, rector of the future church in honor of St. Sergius, commented on the current situation for the Religare website.

— Father Vasily, a year ago the construction of the temple encountered difficulties. How has the situation changed this year?

“Unfortunately, the difficulties have not diminished over the year. The situation became even more complicated. Last year we were fed with promises, offered to wait for the decision of the arbitration court, and then resolve the issue of development... At the moment, by order of the Ministry of Defense, the land has been transferred to the Moscow Government. Previously, we sent a letter to the Ministry of Defense with a request to this organization, as the owner of the land, to confirm the previously given obligations to locate the temple on this territory. We were told that an order was ready to transfer the land for development to the Moscow Government, so we must wait for confirmation from the Department of Land Resources of the Moscow Government. At the same time, the Ministry of Defense sent a letter to the Moscow Government addressed to Natalia Alekseevna Sergunina stating that they are not against the location of the revived church of St. Sergius of Radonezh and the temple-chapel. This letter contains a request to take into account previously reached agreements on the provision of a site for their construction.

- Did you wait?

— In March, we sent a letter to the department with a request to take into account during the development plans for the construction of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh and the chapel of the Archangel Gabriel. The communities of both temples have existed for a long time. We have been waiting for the revival of the temple for 12 years. We were given the answer that construction of a metro station was underway, and it would be necessary to take into account the opinion of the metro, the need to build shopping centers, and the opinion of communities. We were encouraged and asked to wait, citing the lack of a planning project for this territory. And at this time, the Moscow Government decided to develop a design project for the site bounded by Aviakonstruktora Mikoyan Street and Khodynsky Boulevard - exactly the territory where it was planned to place a restored temple and chapel within the framework of the Historical Landscapes of Moscow park. The technical specifications for the development of the planning project do not provide for the placement of a temple and a temple-chapel, despite the promises of the authorities. The responsible executor of this project is the Moscow Committee for Architecture, and the chief architect of Moscow, Kuznetsov, has been appointed as the responsible person. This is official information that is posted on the website of the Moscow Government and Moskomarkhitektura.

- And all this happens despite the answer given earlier?

- In fact of the matter. The layout of the “Historical Landscapes of Moscow” park at this location was planned earlier, and the temple was supposed to become the dominant part of the park, but now the temple is not included in the park design.

— Did you ask why?

“We sent letters to the Moscow Government and the Moscow Committee for Architecture with a request to give an official answer on where and how the restored temple in memory of aviator soldiers was lost on an area of ​​about 30 hectares. In private conversations with representatives of the Moscow Committee for Architecture and Urban Development, representatives of Inteko and the Moscow Government, it was said that the reason was that we did not have time to register the land and the GPZU was not released on our site. Allegedly, the development plan included only those objects for which town planning documents had been issued. And the fact that the construction of a revived temple and a temple-chapel was planned in the park, that acts of reservation and an act of permitted use were issued for them, as if no one knew and these documents are not in the Moskomarkhitektura. Instead of the proposed aviation museum, a museum of modern art and a park accompanying this theme are planned.

— The distortion is obvious.

- Moreover. The park is expanding from 26 to 30 hectares, but in this huge space there is no place for a museum-memorial to the military pilots who died at the former airfield. Frunze (about 150 people died during flight tests), nor the revived Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Moreover, on the eve of the anniversary year! Under Luzhkov, these very objects were to become the dominant, ideological center of the park, and not only of it, but of the entire Frunze airfield.

— And now a shopping complex and a center for contemporary art?

- Exactly. And the entire park will correspond to this theme of modern art.

— Initially, the temple was included in the plan...

- Yes, it was subject to restoration. And it was supposed to become part of the “Historical Landscapes of Moscow” park. What happened is unclear. A competition has been announced for the development of this park, but the temple is not included in the technical specifications.

- Why did this happen?

“In our country, everything is changing very quickly. We first build and then begin to rebuild, the interests of investors often change, often the decisions of our city planners and officials are based on hasty conclusions and not always on reliable information. The Moscow Government has formed the opinion that it is relevant to place a park without a temple here.

— Did the “For the Park” movement play a role here?

— Perhaps, to some extent, yes, since its current leader, Mr. Larin, unlike the previous one, has repeatedly spoken out against the construction of a temple on Khodynskoye Field.

— Are there any opposition to the construction of temples?

- No. No one has spoken out specifically against the temple and is not going to speak out. Someone is artificially fueling this wave of confrontation. And besides, it's profitable. There were only rallies for the construction of the promised park and against the commercial development of Khodynskoye Field, but that’s a different story. This is a movement “For the park”, and not “against the temple”, and almost all parishioners also want a park, and almost all sensible people understand that the temple is not an obstacle to the park, especially on the territory of not a small square, but a wasteland of about 30 hectares. The temple, on the contrary, can be a decoration of the park, an ideological understanding of the historical significance of the Khodynka Field for the Russian state. In addition, it occupies a very small part of it and will be located quite far from residential buildings. However, on the site of the temple, a number of secular facilities will appear in the park project: skate rental, restaurants...

“The worst thing is that Khodynka will lose its historical appearance.

- Absolutely right. Now the memory of the warrior-pilots will not be immortalized and the former temple will not be restored. There are no alternative sites on the territory of Khodynskoye Field. Elite houses stand on the historical site of the Church of St. Sergius. Where to revive the church?

- And the Aviation Museum - in fact a memorial to fallen pilots - has also been written off as unprofitable?

- Alas, this is so. Although it would be logical to build it precisely on the site of the airfield, where these pilots often gave their souls to the Lord during testing.

— What does the museum of modern art that is planned to be built have to do with this place?

— Absolutely none and this decision is completely incomprehensible. Perhaps contemporary art is of personal interest to one of the developers, officials or investors. But, you see, an aviation museum and a revived historical temple would be more appropriate in this place. Moreover, there is no alternative site for its revival on Khodynskoye Field, other than a vacant lot with an area of ​​30 hectares.

— How does the architect Kuznetsov himself feel about the revival of the temple?

— Sergei Olegovich Kuznetsov himself is a resident of Khodynskoye Field, and it is difficult to assume that he is not aware of plans to revive the temple of his heavenly patron on Khodynskoye Field. He is Sergius himself! In his official statements on Khodynskoe Field, he does not touch upon the temple at all, as if the church and aviation past had never existed on this site. In addition, any architect wants to leave behind some unique structure. A revived church in honor of the heavenly patron, and even in its own area for the 700th anniversary of St. Sergius, abbot of the Russian land, is not the fate of every architect! This is better than any PR.

—Have you tried to meet him in person?

“We tried and are still trying, but it hasn’t worked out yet, despite the fact that we have been asking for this throughout the whole year. He is probably very busy, although this busyness does not prevent him from meeting regularly with Larin and his associates.

— What is Larin’s role in this story?

— A new project for a park and a museum of contemporary art is being developed under the initiative of the Moscow Architecture Committee with the support of the public movement “For the Park.” Responsibility for the implementation of the project rests with Kuznetsov himself. But the advisory group that determines the selection of park development projects included Oleg Larin, an opponent of the construction of the temple. On the Dozhd TV channel, he clearly said that it was possible to defend the park and cancel the construction of the Atrium in it; all that remains is to save the park from the construction of the temple complex.

— How was the group formed?

- In closed mode. Architects, representatives of the metro, Inteko entered there, and for some reason one of the residents turned out to be Larin - a man who for a long time tried to convince the residents of the area that the biggest threat to the park was the temple.

— What were the arguments of the opponents?

— The arguments of opponents of churches in all districts are the same, just as the individuals who oppose the construction of churches in different districts of Moscow are the same. They seem to be written as carbon copies: the devil is not inventive. Something always disturbs them: the ringing of bells, a religious procession, the dead. When temples are built literally in courtyards, these arguments can still be taken into account. But can we seriously say that on an area of ​​30 hectares there is no place for a temple, especially for one being revived, on the site of which their own houses stand? It’s strange, why not develop a project for a park on an area of ​​30 hectares with a temple located in any part of it, and put it up for public hearings in this form? Why are residents of the Khoroshevsky district deprived of the opportunity to express their opinions in public hearings? This is a direct violation of the law.

— No hearings were held?

— Hearings will be held, but defending what is already in the construction plan and what is not there is a big difference. Everything is being done to ensure that the park without the temple is presented at the hearings, and so far some have succeeded. This is not a project of the Church, but the need of residents who appealed to the deputies of the municipal assembly. More than a thousand signatures have been collected, all that remains is to determine the location. The question of the location for the reconstruction of the historical temple and the construction of the temple-chapel should be decided not by a limited group of people, but by all residents of the Khoroshevsky district, and I would say more, since the Khodynskoye field is of historical significance for the entire Orthodox Moscow. The restored temple and museum dedicated to the memory of aviator soldiers should not leave Khodynka because of the whim of someone.

- It's just a cover.

- Certainly. But the Orthodox do not go to rallies, this is not their method, they are filled with patience. And thank God. The method of a believer is to pray, wait, but at the same time appeal to the authorities. Unfortunately, the authorities often pay attention to aggressive shouts and boorish antics, rather than to the requests of patient Orthodox believers. Recently, rallies against the development of Khodynskoe Field have de facto become rallies against the temple.

- Like this?

— Yes, simply collecting signatures for the park, for the pedestrian boulevard, signatures against the development of shopping centers were subsequently interpreted as signatures purely against the construction of the temple, which no one collected. And this played a role. A planning project for this territory is currently being developed, and there is no design for the layout of the temple in the technical specifications, but none of the officials specifically informs us about this. And then they’ll simply inform you, “Sorry, it didn’t work out. You are not in the planning project; to be included in the planning project, you need a decree from the Moscow Government...” And further: “Would you agree to another site?” We've already been through this.

- When?

- In 2002. It was then that the community was organized and the project for the development of these houses - the “Colosseum”, “Grand Park” - was approved. And the “Grand Park” absorbed the historical buildings of the temple. The officials replied: “As compensation, we offer you a place close to the historical one near the runway.” It’s sad that the site is the last to be allocated for the revival of a historical temple, and even with such a creak. And this is in an area where there is not a single Orthodox church! Orthodox residents of the Khoroshevsky district are very upset that they have to wait so long for the revival of the historical temple.

— But churches in modern Moscow perform very broad functions...

— And above all, educating the people in the spirit of loyalty to the Fatherland, moral values, and countering extremism. The temple is a place where young people find moral guidelines. Sooner or later there will definitely be a temple on Khodynka Field; historical justice demands this. The memory of the warrior-pilots will be immortalized, because in Russia we still do not have a temple that would be dedicated to the heroes of aviation. It is necessary for people to understand: behind the construction of the temple is not commerce, but the spiritual thirst of Orthodox priests and laity, the desire to change something in society so that it does not slide down the slope of bad morals and primitive instincts. A spiritual and moral society is possible only under the auspices of the Church. Previously, everything began with the temple, and life arose around it. And now for some, the temple becomes an accusation: the bells are disturbing, prayer is disturbing... Because a person puts himself at the center of his life, not Christ, not concern for eternal life, but himself.

“But I know that despite all the difficulties, the community continues to pray at the site of the proposed construction on Sundays...

— Yes, there are many joyful moments. The church community grows along with difficulties and becomes spiritually stronger. Prayer is regularly held on Sundays, and more and more young families from the same “Grand Park” are joining us. Many come up and ask when construction of the temple will begin. I hope that our Sergii - Mayor Sobyanin and architect Kuznetsov - will make sure that the temple in honor of their heavenly patron returns to Khodynskoe Field on the 700th anniversary of the saint.

Interviewed by Svetlana Galaninskaya

The Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh on Khodynskoye Field has often become the subject of controversy and even land scandals in recent years. But worldly affairs calmed down, and on Christmas Day 2017, the first liturgy was held in the church, which had not yet completed construction. The authorities promise that the temple will be completely restored by the fall of this year. All this causes increased interest in the church on Khodynskoye Field. When was it built and why? When and why was it demolished? Does the current temple correspond to its original appearance? We will talk about this in our article. We will also provide general information on how to get to the temple complex and the schedule of services. We will briefly touch on the vicissitudes associated with the restoration of the church.

Temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh on Khodynka Field: history

To understand the purpose of the original church, you need to understand that previously chaplains were required to serve in military units. Even in an open field, before a battle, they laid out a marching altar in front of the assembled soldiers and held a liturgy. In the nineteenth century, Khodynskoye Field was located outside the city. In warmer times, soldiers were transferred there for drill. The so-called summer barracks were built there. What about soldiers without worship services? Therefore, every summer a tent was erected in which an altar was installed. Near this camp chapel, a column with bells was driven into the ground.

The need to build a full-fledged church appeared in the eighties of the last century, when the number of soldiers reached thirty thousand. The tent could no longer accommodate everyone who wanted to listen to the liturgy. In May 1883, a parade was held on Khodynka Field, which was hosted by the Emperor. After this, the military command decided to build a church in honor of this event, consecrating it in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The merchant Nikolai Kaverin undertook to contribute money for the construction of the wooden church. But the provincial government did not like the presented drawing of the structure, and it sent it for revision.

Construction of the original temple begins

There were no funds to build a more expensive project, and it was briefly forgotten. In 1891, Russian citizens were shocked by an event: an attempt was made on the life of the heir to the throne, Nikolai Alexandrovich, in the Japanese city of Otsu. The Tsarevich miraculously remained unharmed, and in honor of this memorable date, General A. Kostanda, commander of the Moscow military garrison, gave the order to build a temple of Sergius of Radonezh on the Khodynka field.

The construction was supported by all loyal subjects. Merchants and wealthy townspeople began to donate to the church. In the spring of 1892, the building design was finally approved, which was finalized by the architect Ivan Khorodinov. And in the summer, the ceremony of laying the first stone took place, which was attended by Moscow Metropolitan Leonty, archimandrites of the Znamensky and Chudov monasteries and other high clergy.

Subsequently, construction was carried out at a very fast pace to coincide with the opening of the church to coincide with the five hundredth anniversary of the death of St. Sergius of Radonezh, in whose honor the temple was named (September 25, 1892).

Description of the church building

In total, construction cost sixty thousand royal rubles. The temple built in was designed to accommodate 1000 people. In the first project it was intended to be single-throne. Subsequently, the architect laid out two side aisles. The main altar is dedicated to Sergius of Radonezh. The chapels were named after St. Nicholas (in honor of the miraculous salvation of the Tsarevich) and Mary Magdalene and Alexander Nevsky (in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the marriage of the imperial couple - Alexander III and Maria Feodorovna).

In winter, services were held in one of the naves, since it was the only one heated in the wooden building. Houses for the priest, deacon and guardhouse were built next to the church. The entire complex was surrounded by a metal fence.

Revolutionary period

The irony of fate was that even after the October Revolution, Khodynskoye Field was used as a location for military camps. Of course, there was no question of divine services. The temple complex of St. Sergius of Radonezh on Khodynka was closed in 1919. The camp commandants thought about how to adapt the church to new, revolutionary needs. It was planned to organize a party school, a reading room and even a stage for concerts in it. But it was all in the memos.

In fact, the church was plundered by unknown people. The inventory of 1921 shows the deplorable condition in which the temple was then. Broken icons, banners, broken glass, parts of chandeliers and candlesticks were scattered on the floor. In the mid-1920s, what survived was transferred to the courtyard of the Ufa Archangel Michael Monastery and the parish church in the village of Belaya Tver province. But even the tattered walls without crosses and domes were an eyesore for the new government. Since “the presence of the church has a detrimental effect on political work with the Red Army soldiers,” the building was completely demolished.

The Temple of Sergius of Radonezh on the Khodynka Field, together with adjacent buildings, occupied an area of ​​about a hectare and was located in the middle of a military camp. It was visible from the Petersburg highway. But since then a lot of water has flown under the bridge, and the place where the temple complex once stood has been built up. Firstly, the Birch Grove park was created. And secondly, the Frunze Central Airfield was built. Houses and streets filled the once empty space of the field.

Therefore, when plans to restore the church appeared in the 1990s, certain difficulties arose. The original drawings have not survived. But the Moscow authorities had at their disposal many old photographs of the temple. The main difficulty was choosing a place to build a new church. Where it once stood there is now a park fence (near Kuusinen Street 6).

Construction of the church and establishment of the parish

The new history of the complex "Temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh" begins in 2000. Then Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow blessed the creation of the parish of the same name. It is noteworthy that at that time not only did no church exist, but even a plot of land was not allocated for its construction. Nevertheless, in 2012, Patriarch Kirill merged the parish with the Chapel of the Archangel Gabriel, which is now located at 2 Khodynsky Boulevard.

Vasily Biksey, a cleric from the Church of St. George in Koptev, was appointed rector of the new complex. Then it was decided to build the Church of Sergius of Radonezh a few hundred meters northwest of the old site. A site was chosen at the end of the runway of the airfield closed in 2003, on the corner of the boulevard, next to the passage of the Birch Grove park. Based on visual data obtained from the archive, a building design was developed.

Land scandals

The cross at the site where it was decided to build a new church in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh was installed in the summer of 2012. At the same time, the first worship service took place - for now in the open air.

But the land on which the construction was planned belonged to the Russian Ministry of Defense. It challenged the construction of the temple in court. A conflict has arisen. Residents of the surrounding houses also opposed the construction.

In the end, the court found the Ministry of Defense to be right. The construction that had begun was declared illegal.

Then, in the spring of 2014, it was decided to look for a new place to build a temple. It was planned to be built at the beginning of the former runway. Nearby, a chapel was almost erected in honor of the fallen test pilots. It was consecrated in October 2014. And in December, all documents were drawn up for a small plot of 0.5 hectares for the construction of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh. It is located opposite the Sports Palace.

New project

The creators wanted the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh on Khodynka Field to fit into the urban landscape surrounding it. The proximity of the sports complex and high-rise buildings did not allow the construction of a “wooden church in the fields.” Therefore, the architect, professor of the Moscow Architectural Institute Sergei Yakovlevich Kuznetsov, developed a new project, significantly different from the old one, designed in a pseudo-Russian style. This building was based on Pskov architecture of the 12th-13th centuries.

This is a large stone structure, topped with a five-domed structure and complemented by a belfry. The mixture of ancient Russian architecture and modern architecture ideally integrated the church into the surrounding landscape. It does not look like a dissonant spot, which would inevitably happen if the temple was built using old photographs.

What does the church look like now?

Construction began in 2015. During this time, walls were erected, a roof was laid, and five domes were installed. All parish services will be located under one roof: a children's art school, a refectory, sacristies, etc. The final finishing work is currently underway in the temple complex of St. Sergius of Radonezh on Khodynka. Services have been held since Christmas this year. The rector of the church took part in the first festive liturgy, who thanked all the gathered believers for their help and donations to the church. Among other things, he assured that interior painting will be completed by the fall of this year.

How to get to the church complex

The Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh on Khodynka Field and the chapel of the Archangel Gabriel are located at the address: Moscow, Khodynsky Boulevard, 2. The Polezhaevskaya and Dynamo metro stations are closest to the complex. But it will also be a long walk from them to the temple. Minibus No. 18 runs from two metro stations. You need to get off on Kuusinen Street, near the Megasport sports center. Bus number 48 also runs from the Polezhaevskaya metro station. You need to get off at the Sukhoi Aircraft Constructor stop. Next you should cross the street and walk a little diagonally across the field. The temple will be on the right, it stands opposite the sports palace. You can also get to the complex by buses No. 12C and 207. They depart from the Dynamo metro station. You should also get off the bus at the Sukhoi Aircraft Constructor stop.

Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh on Khodynka Field: schedule of services

The church celebrates two patronal feasts. One (July 18) is dedicated to the miraculous discovery of the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The second holiday falls on October 8. On this day, the entire Orthodox Church honors the memory of the miracle worker, abbot of Radonezh and all Rus', St. Sergius. Since the temple complex includes a chapel dedicated to the Archangel Gabriel, holidays are celebrated on April 8 and July 26 in the new style. But on an ordinary Sunday you can come to the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh on the Khodynka Field. The rector, Vasily Biksey, in the rank of priest, serves a prayer service at 15:30 with the reading of an akathist.

In the fall of 2017, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' performed the rite of great consecration of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh on the Khodynskoye Field in Moscow and awarded the rector of the temple, Archpriest Vasily Biksey, with regular and extraordinary awards “for attention to special labors and worthy overcoming of many sorrows and troubles on this glorious paths."

A beautiful and majestic temple complex grew up on Khodynskoye Field in just two years, but not everyone knows that this joyful event was preceded by almost ten years of bureaucratic struggle, rallies, protests and attempts to convince everyone that no one needed the temple on Khodynskoye Field.

We talk with the rector, Father Vasily Biksey, about the sorrows and troubles that arose during the construction of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh on the Khodynka Field, as well as about what a modern church should be like.

Temple as part of life

I learned about the Khodynka parish from one of its regular parishioners. I still remember with what feeling she said then: “You know, this parish has become a part of my life. I can’t even imagine that I went to other churches before.”

Indeed, the temple complex on Khodynka became a real discovery for me. There was a special atmosphere of spiritual cohesion, comfort and warmth that was impossible not to notice.

After Sunday services, no one here is in a hurry to go home. All together - clergy and parishioners - gather at large tables in the refectory, where the abbot himself stands serving pilaf or baking pancakes.

While the adults are having a conversation, the children quickly eat and run off to their circles. In addition to traditional Sunday school, you can find hobbies for every taste. There are foreign language courses, a theater studio, and sports sections; Also, if you wish, you can master musical instruments and learn to sing in a professional choir, and a lot more.

Consider, for example, a playroom where parents can leave their child during the service or sit with him to return for Communion or polyeleos.

If the weather permits, parishioners gather outside. The temple complex has a large landscaped area where you can have a picnic and play football. You can often see here how the Father Superior himself, having taken off his cassock, kicks a ball with the parishioners.

And when you look at this whole idyll, you see the joyful happy faces of adults and children, it’s hard to imagine that all this could not have happened. And not so long ago, thousands of signatures were collected against the construction of a temple on Khodynka Field.

Father Vasily, how did you manage to create not just a church, but a real cozy home for parishioners? It seems that I have never seen such cohesion anywhere else.

Well, this is not my merit at all, but the people who were united by difficulties. Almost every one of our parishioners defended this temple with their clear position. These are people who have invested their prayers and their resources here. And it is natural that now they feel part of this parish. If only we could save all this now.

The initiative to build a temple and chapel on Khodynka came back in 2000 from families and descendants of aviators

- So these people are local residents of Khodynka who wanted a temple to be built here?

When the idea arose of building the temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh on the Khodynka field and the temple-chapel in the name of the Archangel Gabriel in honor of the fallen aviators, there was no such Khodynka as we see now. All these houses began to be built in 2006, and the idea of ​​​​building a temple and chapel arose in 2000! Therefore, the first people who promoted this idea were primarily the descendants of aviators.

As you probably know, in the past the Central Airfield was located here. Frunze, on which more than 100 test pilots died over the years, including the national hero Valery Chkalov. However, their memory was not immortalized in any way.

Veteran pilots and their relatives took the initiative to erect a temple-chapel on Khodynskoye Field in memory of their fallen loved ones. In 1999, with the blessing of Patriarch Alexy, a church-chapel community was created in the name of the Archangel Gabriel.

And in 2000, another community was registered - to recreate the temple in the name of.

The acute issue of defending the construction of the temple by residents arose in 2012-2013, when a new district was formed here.

- You said that initially there were two communities that wanted a temple here...

Yes, two small communities. The temple and the temple-chapel were originally planned to be built at different ends of Khodynka, but later the government decided to place them on one site. The temple and the temple-chapel laconically fit into the projected park “Historical Landscapes of Moscow”. In order not to build two full-fledged temples and not to duplicate outbuildings, the communities united and began to develop a single temple complex, which made it possible to minimize the building area and increase the green area.

But it was impossible to start building here, since the land was under litigation between the Ministry of Defense and the Moscow Government.

People unsuccessfully wrote appeals and petitions, but received the answer that they needed to wait for now.

Gradually the case fell into oblivion. One and the other community came here less and less... well, they cried, prayed once or twice a year, and that was all.

We decided: we will pray. They put a cross in a vacant lot and began to serve the Liturgy every Sunday

- When did you become acquainted with the communities?

In 2012, by decree of His Holiness the Patriarch, I was appointed rector of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh. That’s when I met representatives of the communities, and together we began to slowly sort out the documents. And indeed, it turned out that the temple of St. Sergius of Radonezh and the temple-chapel are located on adjacent plots, there is an act of land reservation and there is an act of permitted use, but that’s all.

Accordingly, no one could confirm this land to us, and no one could take this land from us, but we couldn’t do anything here. Then we decided that we would pray.

- Where did you pray, because there was nothing here, just a field?

Yes, it was just a vacant lot, people with dogs were walking. And we erected a cross in the place where the church was supposed to be built and began to serve the Liturgy there every Sunday.

For the park or against the temple?

It was only at this time that the appetite around Khodynka Field began to grow. The largest shopping center appeared, more and more residential complexes were built, the construction of a metro was planned, and another huge shopping complex was planned to be built above the metro station.

Apparently, this is why our first service on Khodynskoye Field caused an extremely negative reaction. Suddenly, people began to come out to “defend their rights,” and rallies began against the development of Khodynskoe Field.

- So these people were against the construction of the temple?

No, I can't say that! Most of them were not against the temple... Most likely, they simply defended their right to ensure that there were no construction sites near their house. They defended their piece of land for a park. It seems to me that they just sincerely wanted to protect their territory. But at the same time, yes, indeed, there were determined people among them who began to speak out specifically against the construction of the temple. Why this happened is unclear to me. It’s also somehow understandable when the temple was within the park and people advocated for a park without a temple. But after some time we retreated and began to build outside the park. But even then these same people opposed, this time simply against the construction of our temple.

- Did people go to rallies?

Oh, there were a lot of rallies here. There were rallies for the park, rallies against the construction of the CSK stadium... Just you know, these were not creative rallies, but destructive ones, at which people were often misled. For example, they told everyone that the temple would occupy 4 hectares of land, although in fact only 1.2 hectares were allocated for it. There were some absurd tensions, even to the point where signatures were forged.

For example, they asked to sign for the construction of a park, but in the end it turned out that everyone signed against the temple. All attention was on this temple and park, and at this time Khodynka was quietly being built up and the park’s designs were constantly being redone, as a result of which the area allocated for the park was gradually decreasing.

Build it now!

- Father Vasily, weren’t you scared by all this endless struggle?

No. While all this struggle was going on, we prayed in the open air and served the Liturgy every Sunday. People rallied more and more, bringing samovars and baked goods from home. All together we tried to somehow improve and green our wasteland. Sometimes people actually had to keep watch at the prayer cross, with which they tried to do whatever they could.

They set fire to the cross, tried to saw it... But we continued to pray

- What, for example?

They set it on fire, tried to saw it, and poured some odorous liquids on it. But we continued to pray calmly.

And in 2014, when it was really clear that the prospect of a park and the proposed temple complex in it was very vague, we were offered to allocate a site on the runway. We immediately had a question about when we should start construction. And they answered us: “Yes, even now! Complete the documentation and start building.”

- How did everything turn in favor of the temple so quickly?

When people found out that they signed “for the park”, and in the end their signatures were converted into signatures against the temple, they were outraged! They said: “How is this possible?! We have never been against the temple, we really want there to be a temple here!”

And a new collection of signatures was organized, and about 8 thousand people signed for the construction of a temple on Khodynskoye Field, and it did not matter where it would be: in the park or not.

- It turns out that there were many more people who were in favor of the temple?

Certainly. And it became clear to everyone that it was these people who needed to listen, and not those who were creating incomprehensible fuss and fear through deceptive means.

As soon as we were allowed to build, we immediately very quickly erected a temple-chapel in the name of the Archangel Gabriel in memory of the fallen aviators. In October 2014, we served the first Liturgy there, and a year later, in May 2015, construction began on the church in the name of St. Sergius of Radonezh.

“True love cannot exist without a temple”

- Was there a need for a temple here?

Of course, as a clergyman, I believe that a person needs a church - always and everywhere, much more than shopping centers and everything else.

After all, outside the temple there can be nothing real, but only deceptive and false. True love cannot exist outside the temple, true femininity cannot exist outside the temple. After all, what kind of love is this if a person says after two years that he “stopped loving”, left the family, and even abandoned his children!

The temple through the word of God corrects all the worldly crookedness!

A person who goes to church at least occasionally gradually aligns his life with what he hears in church. The temple, through the word of God, corrects all worldly crookedness.

Although you know how many times they tried to convince me otherwise! I spend most of my life in the temple and communicate with many residents of the area, not only with parishioners. And many times the same people told me: “Father, stop it! We assure you: no one needs the temple here!”

And these were mainly the people who stood at the origins of the protest movements - be it against the construction of the Central Sports Complex or against shopping complexes.

- How did they argue their position?

You know, those people who have nothing to do with the Church always become particularly indignant and “describe” church life. They usually find a thousand arguments. They told everyone: “You’ll see what will happen! They will build a temple here, and there will be a hotel next to the temple, and here they will have a farm for the priest, and here they will make a farm, and there will be animals on the farm... And then every day the funeral lines with hearses will begin. And to top it all off, the bells will wake you up every morning at 6 o'clock! This is just a nightmare!” Of course, who would want all this?! (Laughs.) Thus, it is very easy to mislead non-church people.

Very often people have suspicions that churches are built with budget funds that could be used to build schools and hospitals, but this is not the case.

And I would like to emphasize now: all churches are built with donations from good people who want to pray and take their children to church.

- I am glad that the majority of people turned out to be believers.

There were about 10-15 people who spoke and convinced me that the temple was not needed here.
But since 2014, 700 people have been baptized in our temple complex! This may not be much, but if the temple “is not needed by anyone,” then how can one explain that 700 people have already been baptized in this temple?! And this is more than a thousand people, parents and godparents, grandparents. And they convinced me that the temple was not needed here!

- And now how many times a week is the Liturgy served?

We have Liturgy every day, there are always communicants. And on Sunday and holiday services our church is packed.

Father Vasily, as far as I know, you are also a father of many children - you have 6 beautiful daughters. Do you and your family live somewhere nearby?

No, we live in Sergiev Posad, and I come here every day. True, of course, when there is a lot to do, I have to stay here. Thankfully there is such an opportunity here. Only we don’t have any “rector’s quarters.” (Smiles.) Everything is just for people. 14 classrooms for educational activities, in which about 70 children are currently studying, a refectory for 100 people, so that parishioners can gather and feel at home here.

I really liked your tradition of everyone gathering together in the refectory after Sunday service. Is this your initiative?

A meal after the Liturgy is normal, it is a continuation of the Liturgy and a good tradition, but within the framework of modern church projects it is difficult to implement. Even our parish is limited by the size of the refectory; we cannot yet accommodate more than 100 people. The initiative to gather often comes from the parishioners themselves - for example, when a person has a birthday, he wants to treat everyone, and he brings fish and cooks fish soup himself.

- What should modern churches be like?

The temple should be traditional, but at the same time large, multifunctional and comfortable. So that we don’t have to send our children to some commercial clubs. At least here you know that everyone is united by faith and definitely no one will swear or teach the child something bad.

And staying in the temple should be comfortable; a modern person should not feel like a stranger in the temple.

The most important thing in the temple is God, then - the person who came to God, and the priest is only a servant - to God and people

That is, on the one hand, it is necessary to observe the canonical traditions of construction, and on the other hand, it is necessary to take into account modern needs. For example, we will not see a temple with a wardrobe in ancient times. And now it has become a necessity. Previously, the temples were cold, but now they are warm. In winter, standing at a service for 2-2.5 hours in a fur coat is very difficult. For parishioners with children in churches, it would be useful to have a children's room where the baby can be swaddled, and if it is difficult for him to withstand the entire Liturgy, then you can give him a little rest. Also, churches should think about safety conditions, accessibility for people with limited mobility, so that people with disabilities can also comfortably go to church.

We must always remember that the most important thing in the temple is God, and then the person who came to God, while the priest is a servant of God and those people who come to God. The temple should be the territory of a piece of paradise.

Parishioners as part of the temple

I left Father Vasily with bags full of delicious, aromatic, freshly baked pies and thought that the temple was somehow subtly similar to its abbot. How open, cheerful, hospitable Father Vasily is, he always manages to do everything - church business, playing football with parishioners, and raising six daughters. His temple turned out to be so multifunctional.

And so on Sunday afternoon we met with the parishioners of the Khodynka Church at a large table in a spacious, cozy refectory. They happily began to share memories of how they prayed on the street, how they had to guard the prayer cross, with which “they did whatever they could.” Some noted that it was with the Khodynsky parish that their true churching began. The children vied with each other to tell us how much they liked attending classes, and especially the choir studio, because many of them sing during the Liturgy. Parents are happy that their children are busy, and they have made real friends in the church. Both of them often go to congratulate children from orphanages and old people from nursing homes on holidays. There is also a help center for people in need at the temple. On the Week of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, priests and parishioners distributed thousands of flowers to the residents of Khodynka.

But most importantly, almost all the parishioners said that the temple had long become for them not only a temple, but also a part of their life.