Church of the Archangel Michael (Samara)

The Church of the Archangel Michael is a working Orthodox church of the Samara diocese in the Shmidta settlement, Zheleznodorozhny District of Samara, at 1 Novogorodskaya Street. The stone church was consecrated in 1915 and is considered the last church built in Samara before the revolution. The building is a cultural heritage site of regional significance.

History

According to parish tradition, during his visit to Samara in 1902 John of Kronstadt blessed this site and foretold that a grace-filled church would be built here.

In 1908 the merchant Vasily Mikhailovich Suroshnikov bought a plot for a prayer house. A wooden prayer house on a stone foundation was consecrated on 15 January 1909; it held about 500 people and was built with money from local residents and donations.

Construction of the stone church began in 1913. The consecration ceremonies took place on 13–15 November 1915, led by Archbishop Pitirim.

Soviet years and revival

In 1929 the church was closed and handed over to a school. In the 1930s the building housed a railway workers' club, during the Second World War an evacuation hospital, and in 1947 an infectious diseases hospital. Later it was used by other institutions as well, including a gym.

In 1991 the building was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church. The first service was held at Christmas, 6–7 January 1992, and on 19 September 1992 Archbishop Evsevy consecrated the church again in honour of the Archangel Michael.

Architecture and what to see

The Church of the Archangel Michael in Samara was designed by the architect Alexander Alexandrovich Shcherbachev and built of brick in an eclectic manner with Russian Revival elements. Restoration has gone on since 1993: the last domes were set in place in 2007, and the interior was renewed afterwards. In 2013 a 9-tonne bell was raised to the belfry.

Legends

Another story is told about the church's beginnings: according to parishioners, John of Kronstadt appeared in a dream to a local woman and showed her where the church should stand.

Getting there

Buses No. 3 and No. 13 run to the Shmidta settlement. From the stop, walk about 300 metres along Neverova Street to the turn onto Novogorodskaya Street, then another 100 metres or so to the church. The way passes through a tunnel and over a lit bridge across the railway tracks.

Good to know

The church is active, with services on Thursday, Friday and at weekends; on Saturday and Sunday mornings there is confession and the Liturgy, and on Sunday evening an akathist to the Archangel Michael. It is best to check the schedule with the parish before visiting.