The Samara Fortress, founded in 1586 by Prince Grigory Zasekin at the intersection of the Volga and Samara rivers, is one of the important historical sites of the city. Its purpose was to ensure the protection of navigation on the river and the protection of state borders from attacks. Although the fortress has not survived to this day (it was des
Church of Michael the Archangel (Dergachi)
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Description
In the 19th century, the village of Dergachi was part of the parish of the Michael the Archangel Church in the village of Vyazovy Gai. By decree of the Holy Synod of June 9, 1900, Dergachi was allowed to create an independent parish. In 1906, a stone three-altar church with one dome, a refectory and a bell tower was built according to the design of the diocesan architect T. S. Khilinsky.
Architectural Features and Consecration
The church was consecrated on November 12, 1906 in the name of the Archangel Michael. The chapels of the temple were dedicated to the Image of the Savior Not Made by Hands and the icon of the Mother of God "Iverskaya". The construction was carried out at the expense of parishioners with the support of the hereditary honorary citizen of Samara Alexander Ivanovich Konstantinov. The Church of St. Michael the Archangel is a typical monument of the "brick" style of the early 20th century, accommodating up to 800 people and occupying an area of 114 square sazhens.
Clergy and Education
The clergy of the church consisted of a priest and a psalm-reader, who were supported by the treasury. In 1901, a house was built for the priest, and in 1908 - for the psalm-reader. The clergy were allocated a land plot of 44 tithes. In 1896, a one-class parish school was opened in Dergachi, where 22 girls and 51 boys were studying in 1915. The school was supported by funds from parishioners and the Samara Diocesan School Council.
Closure and Destruction of the Temple
There is no exact data on the closure of the temple. Grain was stored there for a long time. In 1948, the Chapaevsky District Council of Workers' Deputies reported that permission to close the church had not been found, and the location of the church property was unknown. In 1942, the church building was partially dismantled, leaving without a bell tower and roof. Despite its dilapidated condition, the church still attracts travelers. It is an architectural monument listed in the Samara Region tourist guide and the people's catalog of Orthodox architecture.
Current State and Preservation of Frescoes
The church is currently in a dilapidated state, but on the walls of the main volume you can see frescoes depicting the evangelists. On the sail vaults of the middle part of the temple, a tetramorph has been preserved - an image of the apostles-evangelists in the form of apocalyptic creatures: Matthew - an angel, Mark - a lion, Luke - a calf and John - an eagle. These frescoes are assumed to be copies of the frescoes of the destroyed Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
Architectural Heritage and Restoration Attempts
The Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Dergachi was built in 1900-1906 according to the design of the diocesan architect Tadeusz Hilinski, who also designed churches in Novaya Binaradka and Kurumoch. Both of these churches are still functioning. The Church of St. Michael the Archangel had an elongated shape with a three-part structure resembling a cross. The base of the building was an octagon on a quadrangle with an adjoining refectory and a three-tiered bell tower.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, ideas to restore the church repeatedly arose. In 2015, the Samara State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering developed a restoration project that provided for the complete restoration of the monument and the improvement of the adjacent territory. However, the project was never implemented.