Chapel of Our Lady of Kazan (Yaroslavl) - a monument to the heroic past

Among the numerous artistic and historical monuments of Yaroslavl , the chapel of Our Lady of Kazan, built in 1997, occupies a special place. Her appearance is familiar to many. And it's not just that it is depicted on the thousand-auble note we love, but also in its inherent artistic merits, as well as in the importance of the historical event that served as the occasion for its creation.

Monument to the People's Militia

The Chapel of Our Lady of Kazan was built in commemoration of the liberation of Moscow in 1612 from the Polish invaders by the militia of K. Minin and D. Pozharsky. And it is no coincidence that Yaroslavl was chosen as the place for her. Formed in Nizhny Novgorod, the people's army on its way to Moscow for four months stopped here to allow all those who wished to serve the Motherland to hasten to join it and hastened in this connection from the most remote parts of Russia.

The period from April to July 1612, while the militiamen were expecting reinforcements arriving daily, was not lost in vain. During these months it was possible to form the composition of the future government, which was called the "Council of All Land." It included many representatives of the most influential at the time princely families, as well as elected from ordinary people. The right to head the council was granted to K. Minin and D. Pozharsky, who by the way, personally signed the documents, as his illustrious companion was illiterate.

Months spent in Yaroslavl

The Chapel of Our Lady of Kazan (Yaroslavl) is a monument to the diverse work carried out here by the militia government for four months in the city. Hence the people's deputies led the liberation from Polish-Lithuanian detachments of many Russian cities. Here, a plan was drawn up and implemented, as a result of which the interventionists were cut off from the main ways of delivering food and ammunition to them.

At the same time, the newly elected council conducted an active diplomatic activity. In particular, Prince Pozharsky, through negotiations, succeeded in almost completely withdrawing from participation in the military actions of Sweden, which managed to seize a considerable part of the Novgorod lands by that time. In addition, as a result of negotiations with the German ambassador, an agreement was reached to provide the emperor with support for the militia.

Result of militia in Yaroslavl

Summarizing everything that was achieved by militiamen during their stay in Yaroslavl, it must first of all be noted that their forces were significantly enlarged due to the arrived to them warriors from Siberia, Pomerania, and also many other regions of Russia. In addition, with the "Council of all the land" elected here, such purely governmental bodies as the Posolsky, Razryadny and Povestnye Orders were created and successfully worked .

Even before the liberation of Moscow in Yaroslavl, a great deal of work was done to restore order to a significant territory of the country and to liquidate the bandits who had plundered at that hard time and terrorized the population. This allowed to some extent to stabilize the situation and create prerequisites for the revival of economic activity. In memory of these glorious pages of our past, the chapel of Kazan Our Lady (Yaroslavl) was erected, the address of which every citizen knows today.

Monument opening

In August 1997, when the whole country celebrated the three hundred and eighty-fifth anniversary of the militia, the chapel of Our Lady of Kazan (Yaroslavl) was ceremoniously opened on the banks of the Kotorosli River, not far from the place where the Holy Transfiguration Monastery is located. Photos of this unique building are presented in the article.

From the very first days the chapel entered the list of the most striking and beloved townspeople. According to the tradition, near her are photographed newlyweds in a day so joyful for them, and numerous tourists throw coins, trying to get into the bell - they say it brings happiness.

Icon that patronized the militiamen

Often asked: why exactly in honor of this Kazan icon the chapel was consecrated? The answer should be sought in the events of four hundred years ago. It is known that it was to this holy image militia prayed before continuing their march on Moscow, all the days of which the Blessed Virgin Mary was invisibly present among them. Therefore, in Yaroslavl, the chapel of Our Lady of Kazan was erected.

The author of the chapel project was Yaroslavl architect G. L. Dainov. His creative workshop won the All-Russian competition, and the company led by him carried out the construction of the building. According to the author's intention, the chapel was given light and lofty outlines, thanks to which it seems to float in the air. The snow-white surface of the walls and the simplicity of the forms create a unique architectural image.

Chapel, which became a place of national unity

Today, the chapel of Our Lady of Kazan in Yaroslavl (address: Kotoroslaya, 27) is not only a monument of the past and one of the brightest works of modern Orthodox architecture - it also plays an important role in the modern life of the city, becoming a venue for public rallies in the days of national unity and harmony .

This is its deeply symbolic meaning. As during the troubled times of the Time of Troubles, the Blessed Virgin spread its blessed Protection over Russia, and today people are going to its miraculous image in search of a path to national unity and harmony, and it is not by chance that the chapel of Our Lady of Kazan unites them.