Ilya Obydeny enjoys special veneration and love among parishioners. It has existed since the 16th century, serving as support and support for believers at various moments in their lives. The large number of shrines with which the temple is rich fills the House of God with a special light energy, charged with which, everyone who comes here feels an influx of physical and mental strength, peace and tranquility.
The Church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane is a special place. This fits surprisingly organically into the surrounding landscape, ennobling and aestheticizing the surroundings. The earliest Christian church in Rus', back in Kyiv, was dedicated to Saint Elijah. He is also associated with one of the parish organizations of the capital's Orthodox diocese.
The history of the building is unusual and interesting. After all, it belongs to the oldest buildings of ancient Moscow. The first temple of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane was built of wood literally in one day or, in Old Russian, “obyden”. There were craftsmen in Rus' back then! This happened during a period of severe drought, and the people, who always firmly believed in their beloved patron, relied on his help even now. The construction dates back to around 1592, and the area itself was called Skorodomnaya. Here, once upon a time, timber was floated on water, and Muscovites, taking advantage of the convenient crossing and delivery of materials, quickly built homes for themselves in order to later move their houses to more convenient areas of the city. The Temple of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane also gave the name to the streets leading to it - Iliinsky. They were renamed to their current name later.
The church was loved not only by the inhabitants of the surrounding area. People from all over Moscow flocked here for Orthodox holidays. And on ordinary days it was never empty. In historical documents, the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane is often mentioned. Prayers take place here for many significant events related to the domestic and foreign political activities of Russian rulers.
If there were prolonged rains or long dry spells, on the saint’s name day there was a procession of the cross from the Kremlin led by the Tsar-Father and the primates of the Russian Church. It is no coincidence that Obydensky Lane, the Church of Elijah the Prophet, became those places where the clergy, together with the people’s militia led by Minin and Pozharsky, prayed to the Almighty and the saints for help in military affairs. We are talking about the era of the Time of Troubles, Polish intervention and the defense of Moscow from invaders. On August 24, after a prayer service, a decisive battle took place, ending in the victory of Russian weapons.
At the very beginning of the 18th century, the old church building was demolished. A stone one was built in its place. The current Church of Elijah the Prophet in Moscow has largely retained its ancient architectural appearance. Funds for its construction were provided by Gabriel and Vasily Derevnin. In memory of them, marble stones were installed in the church. Further construction work continued into the next century. The building was renovated and new chapels were added. Since then, religious services have been held here continuously. And in difficult times for the House of God, when the authorities wanted to close it, the parishioners did not allow this to happen. For example, about 4 thousand people defended the church in 1930.
The main chapel of the temple is dedicated to Elijah the Prophet. Additional ones - to Saints Peter and Paul, martyrs Anna the Prophetess and Simeon the God-Receiver. Among its most significant shrines are, first of all, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, which is called “Unexpected Joy”. The image in front of which the folk heroes Minin and Pozharsky prayed is also extremely important for Christians. Lists of such famous icons as the Kazan, Vladimir and Fedorovskaya Mother of God, the Savior Not Made by Hands, give their healing power to the suffering. Particles and Seraphim of Sarov also attract pilgrims from all over the country. The doors of the temple are open to everyone from 8 am to 10 pm daily.
Temple of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane- parish Orthodox church in honor of the prophet Elijah (main altar) in Moscow, located at: Moscow, 2nd Obydensky lane, 6. The Temple of the Prophet Elijah was originally wooden, built in 1592 in one day - “everyday”, which gave the temple the clarifying name “Ordinary”. After the name of the temple, the three lanes leading to it became Obydensky. The current temple was built in 1702 on the site of a former wooden temple. From this ancient wooden church, the iconostasis of the main altar of the current temple presumably preserved image of the Savior Not Made by Hands(1675) and Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, written by the leading royal iconographer Simon Ushakov. On June 15, 1944, revered as a miraculous one, it was transferred here from the Church of the Resurrection in Sokolniki. Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”.
Obydensky Temple always revered in Moscow. On the day of remembrance of the holy prophet Elijah and during drought or prolonged bad weather, a procession of the cross was made from the Kremlin to the temple with the participation of the king. On such days, the primates of the Russian Church performed services in the church.
For more than 300 years, services were always held in the temple. Even in times of godless hard times The Temple of Elijah the Everyday Prophet never closed, although such attempts have been made. At a time when other churches in Moscow were closing, Obydensky Temple received many shrines from closed churches in Moscow.
The main revered shrines of the temple are the miraculous Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”, Icon of the Mother of God “Feodorovskaya” And "Vladimirskaya". In the local row of the iconostasis of the main altar there are several revered icons: "The Fiery Ascension of the Holy Prophet Elijah", "Savior Not Made by Hands" with stamps, Icon of the Mother of God "Kazan". Icons of the saint are kept in the temple Sergius of Radonezh and Reverend Seraphim of Sarov with particles of their relics. A particle of the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov was given to the temple by His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II († 2008) immediately after the second discovery of the honest relics of this great saint of God. On August 1, 2009, an additional altar was consecrated in the church in the name of St. Seraphim of Sarov. Also kept in the temple piece of the Belt of the Blessed Virgin Mary, kept in a reliquary at the chapel of the apostles Peter and Paul.
Full list of shrines of the Temple of Elijah the Prophet in Obydensky Lane:
- Miraculous Icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”
- Savior Not Made by Hands (with 12 brands)
- Holy Prophet Elijah (with 20 brands)
- Beheading of John the Baptist
- Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker (Zaraisky)
- Holy Martyr John the Warrior
- Great Martyr Barbara
- Venerable Sergius of Radonezh
- Icon of the Mother of God “Unfading Color”
- Reliquary on the left in the central part
- Reliquary on the right in the central part
- Holy Hieromartyr Antipas of Pergamon
- Holy Grand Duke Daniel of Moscow
- Icon of the Mother of God “Vladimir”
- Venerable Seraphim, Sarov Wonderworker
- Great Martyr Catherine
- Saint Athanasius of Kovrovsky, confessor
- Icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”
- Hieromartyr Seraphim (Chichagov)
- The Holy Passion-Bearer Tsar Nicholas receives from the Hieromartyr Seraphim (Chichagov) Chronicle of the Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery
- Venerable Seraphim of Sarov praying on a stone
- Icon of the Mother of God “It is Worthy to Eat”
- Icon of the Mother of God “Smolensk”
- Icon of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear”
- Icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost”
- Icon of the Mother of God “Tikhvin”
- Icon of the Mother of God “Eletskaya”
- Holy Chief Apostles Peter and Paul
- Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)
- Icon of All Saints
- Icon of the Mother of God “Kazan”
- Reliquary in the chapel of the apostles Peter and Paul
- Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow”
- Icon of the Mother of God “Three-Handed”
- Holy Prophet John the Baptist
- Holy Martyr John the Warrior
- Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon
- Holy Martyrs Gury, Samon and Aviv
- Icon of the Mother of God “Vsetsaritsa”
- Icon of the Mother of God “Merciful”
- Crucifixion. Cross of the Lord
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Saints Nicholas of Myra and Spyridon of Trimythous
- Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky
- Savior in a white chiton
- Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker (with 12 hallmarks of life)
- Icon “The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles”
- Icon of the Mother of God “Quiet my sorrows”
- Icon of the Mother of God “Iverskaya”
- Three Saints, Apostle James, Brother of the Lord, Archangel Michael, Martyr Maura
- Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Holy prophet Elijah in the desert
- Saints Simeon the God-Receiver and the Prophetess Anna
- The Lord Almighty on the Throne
- Icon of the Mother of God “Blessed Heaven”
- Icon of the Mother of God “Sovereign”
- Holy Martyr Tryphon
- Crucifixion. Cross of the Lord
- Icon of the Mother of God “Helper in Childbirth”
- Icon of the Mother of God “Feodorovskaya”
- The Holy Trinity
- Resurrection of the Lord
- Eve
- Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious
- Savior Not Made by Hands
- Dormition of the Mother of God
- Hieromartyr Hermogenes, Patriarch of Moscow
ADDRESS AND DIRECTIONS to the Temple of Elijah the Everyday Prophet:
Moscow, 2nd Obydensky lane, 6.
(The Temple of the Prophet Elijah is located near the Cathedral of Christ the Savior)
The Orthodox Church sacredly honors prophet Elijah. The first church built in Kyiv under Prince Igor was in the name of the prophet Elijah. Or me- biblical prophet in the kingdom of Israel, in the 9th century BC. e. The Russian, Georgian, Serbian and Jerusalem Local Churches honor his memory on July 20 (August 2) (see “Elijah’s Day”) Saint Elijah in the Slavic folk tradition - the lord of thunder, heavenly fire, rain, patron of the harvest and fertility. Ilya is a “formidable saint.” Prophet Elijah- was a zealous champion of Judaism and a formidable denouncer of idolatry and wickedness.
According to Tradition, holy prophet Elijah performed the following miracles:
- He brought a famine (1 Kings 17:3).
- He brought down fire on the earth (1 Kings 18:36-38).
- He brought down Fire from Heaven both for the punishment of sinners and for the Sign of the Truth of God-worship.
- He resurrected a boy who, presumably, later became the prophet Jonah.
- He divided the Jordan River like Moses by striking it with his clothes.
- I spoke to God face to face, while covering my face.
- According to the Word of God, ravens and angels brought him food.
- According to his word, the food in the widow’s house did not end.
- He was swaddled by Angels and fed with Fire at birth.
- It is believed that he is one of the two lamps standing before God and anointed by Him (Apocalypse and the prophet Zechariah).
- He was taken up alive into Heaven for his special righteousness before God.
- Through his prayer, Heaven closed and did not give rain.
- Also, through his prayer, God gave rain to the earth after the conclusion of Heaven.
- He appeared together with the prophet Moses before Jesus Christ on the day of the Transfiguration and talked with Him.
- He prophesied and revealed the Will of God to people.
- It is believed that during his life as an angel, God gave him an inexhaustible and unlimited gift of miracles.
- Revered as the greatest of saints. 
In both Judaism and Christianity it is believed that holy prophet Elijah́ was taken to Heaven alive: “Suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared, and separated them both, and Elijah rushed into Heaven in a whirlwind” (2 Kings 2:11). According to the Bible, before him, only Enoch, who lived before the Flood, was taken alive into heaven (Gen. 5:24). However, in Orthodox theology there is an opinion that Enoch and Elijah were ascended not to heaven, but to some secret place, where they await the day of the apocalypse. Prophet Elijah́ is mentioned several times in the New Testament. This is how the episode is described how the elders and people asked John the Baptist, when he preached on the banks of the Jordan in the spirit and power of Elijah and even looked like him in appearance, was he Elijah? Also, the disciples of Jesus Christ, according to the Gospel of Matthew, asked Him if Elijah should come before the Messiah. To which Christ replied: “It is true that Elijah must come first and arrange everything; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him as they wanted; so the Son of Man will suffer from them” (Matthew 17:11-12). Then the disciples realized that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist, who was beheaded (Mark 6:28).
During the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, Elijah the prophet appeared along with Moses and they talked with Jesus “about His exodus, which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31). According to John Chrysostom, “one who died and another who has not yet experienced death” appeared in order to show that “Christ has power over life and death, rules over heaven and earth.” According to the Revelation of John the Theologian, Elijah must also appear before the second coming of Christ to earth (Rev. 11: 3-12). During the suffering of Christ on the cross, some of the people thought that Christ was calling the prophet Elijah for help, and expected his arrival.
In Obydensky Lane, located near the Church of Christ the Savior, belongs to the Peter the Great Baroque style. It was built by the architect I. Zarudny in 1702. And the main trustee of the church was a clerk named Derevnin, who was later buried here. As for the bell tower and refectory, they were erected by the architect A. Kaminsky in 1866-1868.
It was typical for church architecture at the dawn of the 18th century. It expressed the trends of the new era. This style is characterized by clarity, rigor, and correctness, but at the same time there is a noticeable amount of romanticism in it. The churches look reserved and practical, but quite beautiful. During this period, “ship” type temples were built: a long vestibule, a bell tower and the building itself are located on the same axis. This was typical for that time. Such is the Temple in Obydensky Lane.
But the first, still rather primitive, church was erected here at the end of the 15th century. Temples that were built in one day, according to a vow, were called ordinary. There is a legend that in ancient times a certain prince was passing through this place, and suddenly a strong thunderstorm began. He made a promise that if he did not die, he would build a wooden temple in honor of the Prophet Elijah in one day. There is another legend that says that the church was built according to a vow, begging for rain during a drought.
The Church of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane is notable for the fact that there is also the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which was created in the 17th century. But special attention should be paid to the left choir. The main attraction of the Elijah Cathedral is located there - the icon of the Mother of God called “Unexpected Joy”, which, according to legend, is capable of working miracles. On it you can see a man kneeling and praying in front of a sacred image.
At first this icon belonged to the Church of the Praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After its demolition, it was sent to the Church of St. Blaise. Then she was transferred to the Church of the Resurrection, located in Sokolniki. All the most famous and miraculous images from demolished capital churches were sent there. And only then she was taken to the Temple of the Prophet Elijah in Moscow.
Going inside, near the right pillar you can see a magnificent icon of Jesus created by Chichagov Seraphim (Metropolitan).
The church functioned even during Soviet times, although its bells were removed in the 1930s. In the first year of the war, the Temple of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane was practically destroyed by a bomb that exploded nearby. However, after some time it was restored and restored.
Today, at the temple, which is regularly visited by many believers, there is a Sunday school for children and adults, an Orthodox lecture hall, and a parish library.
Let's also take a look at this magnificent temple. The capital's Church of the Prophet Elijah, located in Cherkizovo, is famous for the fact that it houses a rare image of St. Alexis, and the relics of Blessed Ivan Koreysha are also kept here.
Once you see this elegant temple, it is impossible to forget it. You come here and it’s like you’re transported back in time several centuries ago. This church has been around for many years, it’s impossible to count how many people have prayed here. The images are wonderful, ancient, it seems that these are fragile museum exhibits. Did you know that this church was built back in 1690? Previously, there was a wooden temple on this site. It was erected quite a long time ago - in 1370.
During the difficult period, during the Russian-Lithuanian war, the church was burned by the enemy, but it was soon rebuilt.
The temple is notable for its interesting history. During Soviet times, many of the capital's churches were destroyed. And the Temple of the Prophet Elijah remained undamaged even during the period when, during the construction of the metro, it was decided to lay a line under it.
Believing residents of the capital did not allow the church to be demolished. The authorities had to give in, although other shrines were actively destroyed during the construction of the metro. Near the Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah, several temples were destroyed. The fact that the building survived despite everything can be called a real miracle. And we must thank fate that such a magnificent architectural monument remained unharmed.
Today, the temple is visited by both native Muscovites and tourists - they are all fascinated by its splendor. This is an unusual place, having visited once, you want to come here again and again. So many people visit it every Sunday, and some more often. People come to pray and venerate the relics of Ivan Koreysha - they hope that this blessed one will grant them healing and generally somehow influence their lives. The doors of the temple are open to absolutely everyone, and everyone who comes to Moscow, even just for a short time, is recommended to visit this amazing church to immerse themselves in the extraordinary atmosphere that reigns in it.
The Church of the Prophet Elijah in Obydensky Lane in Moscow is easy to miss: it is small, but extremely important for parishioners. Over more than 3 centuries of existence, it has experienced a lot.
Temple of the Prophet Elijah- in wooden form - was built at the end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th centuries in Moscow. The exact date of construction is unknown, but a number of written sources indicate this time.
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In the Synodikon (memorial book at the temple), compiled under Patriarch Job in 1589-1607, the church is already mentioned. “The Legend of Abraham Palitsyn” can also serve as evidence: it describes the events of 1587-1618. In particular, it is said that Prince Dmitry Pozharsky at the end of August 1612, before the battle with the Poles, prayed in the ordinary temple of the Prophet Elijah.
The name “Routine” itself is associated with the words “One Day”: it is believed that the wooden structure was erected in just a day.
In 1702, a stone one was erected on the site of a wooden building. At first they wanted to make it based on the model of the cathedral church of the Nikolo-Perervinsky Monastery, but due to lack of funds, instead of a two-story church, a one-story one was erected. The inside of the church is still preserved marble slab with the names of the creators - the Derevnin brothers.
In 1706, an antimension (fabric with a sewn-in particle of saints) was moved to the Church of Elijah the Prophet - it was placed in the chapel of Simeon the God-Receiver and Anna the Prophetess. The chapel itself was badly damaged in the fire, but was later restored. In 1819, the second chapel was completed and consecrated - in honor of the apostles Peter and Paul.
In the middle and second half of the 19th century, the appearance of the temple changed and has remained in this form to this day. Many prominent merchants donated money for the reconstruction: the merchant of the first guild Konshin, the Tretyakov sisters and their brother. Konshin also became the initiator and trustee of the parish school, which began work in 1875.
With the advent of Soviet power, the position of the temple shook, but did not change: it was supposed to be closed in 1930, but believers defended it. In 1941, a second order was signed, but the outbreak of war “saved” the church. In June 1944, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” was transferred from the Church of the Resurrection of the Lord in Sokolniki to the Church of Elijah the Prophet, which remained there forever.
In 1973, Solzhenitsyn and Svetlova got married in the church, and later they baptized their children here.
Today the Church of Elijah the Prophet enjoys a certain popularity among believers due to its history, large number of shrines and location. In addition to directly religious affairs, the temple houses:
You can also book a tour of the church. or visit the library, which has more than 10 thousand books.
The Temple of Elijah the Prophet is made in the Moscow Baroque style. This is a yellow-painted one-story building with a bell tower with 1 dome. Despite the modest decorations, it looks elegant and airy.
Inside there is a 7-tier iconostasis; the light green walls are modestly decorated with icons and patterns. Despite the large number of images, the inside of the temple looks light and spacious.
Among all the shrines of the Church of Elijah the Prophet of God, the main one is considered to be a copy (copy) of the icon of the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy”. The name is related to the story m, written in the second half of the 17th century, about a sinner who prayed at the icon of the Mother of God, and then committed atrocities. One day he saw the Virgin and Child live, but there were severe sores on the child’s hands and feet: because of the sins of man, Christ was crucified again and again. The sinner repented of committing evil, but the Infant did not agree to forgive him, and then the Mother of God also lay down at the feet of her son. Only later did Christ forgive the sinner.
The icon itself depicts this scene: a sinner prays to the Hodegetria icon of the Mother of God, the Mother of God holds in her hands a son covered with sores. They pray to the icon for spiritual strength and getting rid of negativity and quarrels, about getting the desired thing or finding lost people. Pregnant mothers can ask for an easy birth and healthy children.
