St. John's Theological Church

One of the most ancient shrines on the territory of Mordovia is the St. John theological Church. This is an ancient stone temple, which was built in 1693 and is located in the heart of Saransk.

Over the years of its existence, the church building was repeatedly remodeled and reconstructed, but in general, the original appearance of the temple was not lost. The architecture of the church is an example of “Dopetrovsk” stone architecture, characteristic of the XVII century. The facade of the building is decorated with keel-shaped kokoshniks, as well as a decorative rib. In the center of the facade is the entrance portal.

The interior of the church is no less interesting than the exterior decoration of the facade. The main feature is the unsurpassed Baroque iconostasis, as well as painting, characteristic of the "academic" style.

In the early 1930s, the church was closed, and resumed its service during the Great Patriotic War.

The building of the St. John theological Church since 1991, and before the construction of the Temple of Fedor Ushakov, served as the location of the Cathedral of the Saran diocese.