Why is a small temple without special decorations included in all guidebooks on the Smolensk land? Because it is one of the 3 surviving temples of the so-called «pre-Mongol era»
Built in 1173 as the house church of Prince Roman. His father, the Smolensk prince Rostislav, built the Church of Peter and Paul on the other side of the river. The son built a church very similar to Peter and Paul.
Modest outside the temple, was richly decorated from the inside. Gold, feniff, frescoes on the walls, rich salaries on icons were so breathtaking that the splendor of the temple is repeatedly mentioned in the annals.
Together with Smolensk, the temple had to go through difficult times. First, the Mongols ravaged the city and looted the churches. Then the Poles captured Smolensk and turned the Theological Church into a church. After the return of Smolensk to Russia, “good” people rebuilt the building, covering all stucco decorations with plaster and laying most of the windows with brick. One of the travelers mentions that after the alteration of the temple lost its original appearance.
In Soviet times, the building was used as a library, which allowed to protect it from destruction. But the Nazis did not spare the ancient monument. During the bombing of 1941-43, the building was badly damaged.
After the war, the building housed a warehouse of restoration workshops. Archaeological excavations were carried out several times on the territory. Remains of walls, presumably princely choirs, were discovered. A woman’s burial was also found. Judging by the remains of the suit and headdress, very noble.
In 1993, the building was returned to the ROC. Reconstruction work began immediately there.
Restorers tried to restore the original appearance of the church. In 1995, the first divine service was held in the temple.
Services are currently held daily.
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Temples and Monasteries of Russia
