The Church of John the Forerunner in Yaroslavl

The Church of John the Forerunner in Yaroslavl.

(years of construction 1671-1687)

The Church of John the Forerunner in Yaroslavl is a magical fairy tale embodied in stone. The fame of her spread not only throughout Russia, but also around the world. The fact is that residents of Russia, without noticing it, see it on the 1000-ruble bill. Let's take this note and count the number of domes. If there are fifteen of them, it means that this is the temple, because nowhere else in Russia such a number of domes is found.

The Church of John the Baptist became famous all over the world, because its photos are published in international guidebooks. And not in vain: it is one of the brightest and most original churches not only of Yaroslavl, but also of the entire vast Russia.

Already from afar, behind the winding river Kotorosl, the silhouette of the temple rises - tall and picturesque. The Church of John the Forerunner is located in a remote settlement, where the inhabitants were pushing the bark to make a very thin and valuable Yaroslavl skin - yufti. Russian beauties flaunted in red yuft boots, and French ladies wore handbags made of thin and elegant Yaroslavl yufti. What's the secret to making this skin? In the bark there are special substances - tannins, with the help of which the skin becomes very soft and beautiful. According to the occupation of the residents, the settlement began to be called leather or Tolchkovskaya, and the sale of unique skins brought her considerable wealth. At the expense of the residents of the settlement in 1671 begins the construction of the Temple of John the Forerunner.

By that time, Yaroslavl architecture reached its peak: Yaroslavl stone “pearls” were built at the expense of the richest merchants, who are often compared with the Italian Medici for contributions to a good cause. Building temples, merchants tried to express their gratitude to God, perpetuate their name, decorate the city and, of course, outdo their rivals - such successful merchants.

This rivalry was continued by the Yaroslavl settlements, including the Tolchkovskaya Sloboda and, despite the fact that by the end of the 17th century it was difficult to surprise the Yaroslavl people, the temple was successful! The construction was completed in 1687, and still the Church of John the Baptist amazes visitors. I have never heard so many words of admiration, delight, joy from what I saw!

The huge height of the temple is crowned with fifteen domes. They bloom like beautiful bouquets: in the center - large, and on the sides - small. The number of domes is really unusual. Let us remember with you the Orthodox canon, which was observed by architects in ancient times:

One dome in the name of the One God,

Three in honor of the Holy Trinity,

five in the name of Christ and the four evangelists,

Seven are like seven days of creation.

The thirteen symbolize Jesus Christ and the twelve apostles.

Thirty-three years of the life of the Son of God on earth.

However, no rule is violated here: three churches merged in one building: the central temple and two chapels. All of them are equal in height and each has five domes. So clever and inventive were our ancestors!

Look at what a beautiful and colorful carpet they made of bricks! It was as if they wanted to repeat the patterns of Russian carvers who dressed the tower in an elegant lace dress. The decoration of the temple uses about 100 different forms of brick.

On the beautiful red-brick walls shine colorful tiles. They line up with ribbons between windows, decorate the drums of heads and even hide among the kokoshniks! This is a real Yaroslavl fairy tale! There are also kokoshniks, shaped like the crown of a fairy-tale queen.

On three sides, the temple is decorated with wonderful porches-trems: with elegant arches, with painted gates, with a golden border (sight). Contemplating them, you involuntarily recall Russian folk tales and poems by Alexander Pushkin.

Very unusual patterns on the doors: golden leaves and herbs, golden and scarlet fruits and flowers, which, it seems, do not happen in the world, which the artist dreamed of seeing in paradise. Or is it ripe raspberries from the July forest and fragrant sprigs of hops, clusters of grapes? Or a drawing from an ancient chronicle, or perhaps an ancient symbol of the Slavs? In any case, there is something enticing and mysterious in these ornaments and something very sweet to the heart.

The eastern sacred side is decorated with an unusual painting. Triangles beige, sand and brown create the effect of glowing diamond faces. It's a diamond rust painting.

The temple is good from any point of view: from whatever side you look, everywhere - a sense of wonder and fairy tale, power and inspiration! From this church I want to write pictures, about its beauty - to compose poems.

In the city of Yaroslavl, over the azure river,

Church in honor of the Holy Angel of the Forerunner.

Domes like candles in blue sky

The walls of the temple are lined with carpet,

Wonderful porches, like a tower,

Framed the roof of the gold border.

And the central dome is like a samovar.

The color of this church is red as fire.

And there is a pattern in the tiles,

This ancient Russian temple admires the eye!

Everything is wonderful in the temple - power and height!

This beauty is heartbreaking!

The eye from the east pleases a marvelous diamond.

The ancient artist courage and talent.

Frescoes there are bright – everyone will never count!

There are prophets and angels who send news from heaven.

There are pure images, the face of Christ shines,

Biblical holidays, carrying the cross.

Except there's no sadness or confusion in the drawings.

Rather, a sense of Russian fun.

At dawn, the gold of crosses shines,

The sun illuminates fifteen domes!

Let this wonderful temple stand for a century,

We are blessed by the Baptist John.

 

Welcome to the Yaroslavl fairy tale!