Tserkov' Simeona Bogopriimtsa V Pokrovskom Zverinom Monastyre

The Church of Simeon the God-Receiver is located on the former territory of the Zverin-Pokrovsky Monastery. In 1467, Novgorod was struck by an epidemic, probably of the plague, later called the Simeon Sea. For the burial of the dead in the monastery, a common skudelnitel (a place for the collective burial of the dead) was arranged, where a new worship cross, made in stone, is now installed. According to legend, the archbishop of Novgorod, Jonah, had a voice calling him to go to the procession "to the scape", where the appearance of the image of Simeon the God-Receiver occurred. Further, on the spot of the beggar woman, a wooden temple was built in one day. However, it seems that these medical measures did not lead to the cessation of the epidemic, and by June 1468 a stone church of Simeon the God-Receiver was built on a wooden site. Well, the epidemic could not withstand such a strong medical impact, and began to decline. Here is such an effective medieval medicine. The Church of Simeon the God-Receiver is a small, one-domed, four-pillar, one-apsed two-story church with a subchurch (this is such a first economic floor). The church is on the top floor. In the church building, two western columns are rounded to the height of human growth, and two eastern columns are half-rounded to the same height. This creates the illusion of free space. This is the last surviving monument of the period of independence of the Novgorod Republic. The temple was renovated in 1654, some of its dilapidated or damaged upper parts (vaults, dome, konha) were relocated. During the subsequent restructuring, a two-story aisle appeared (in the 19th century until 1860). Now the entrance to the temple was constructed from this aisle, and initially church, walked along the wooden porch on the west side. The church did not suffer very much during the war. During the restoration in 1965-1967, some later elements were preserved (completion of the facades, the shape of the chapter). Apparently, initially, the temple had a three-bladed completion (roof), but during the reconstruction in the 17th century, the roof was made eight-sloped. So it is left at the present time. The church has been preserved to this day in good condition. The main thing is that its internal walls, arches and ceilings are painted with frescoes that are bright in color and the frescoes are very well preserved, unlike the frescoes in churches near Novgorod that were destroyed during the war. Initially, murals of the 15th century represented an annual Minea - month-long depictions of saints (church calendar from September to August). The frescoes are small (it is believed that the painting is miniature, close to the icon) and they are smaller than the frescoes in the above churches. Almost all images are waist-high. But the frescoes were renewed and updated in the 17th and 18th centuries, and in the middle of the 19th century the temple was painted anew. During the restoration work, most of the frescoes were cleared. In those places where the original layer was severely damaged, late renewals are preserved. Thus, although most of the surviving frescoes still dates back to the 15th century, in the current form of murals, churches are a multi-time monument. In principle, you can see which of the frescoes belong to the 15th century, and which appeared later. For example, in the conch of the apse of the church, the scene of the Trinity is depicted and this painting by the technique of the image clearly does not apply to the 15th century. You can admire how the artist who painted the church saw God the Father. Nobody knows what he is, if any, of course. The frescoes are very beautiful and most importantly, they form a complete picture, as they are preserved in almost the entire church, and not in some areas. In my opinion, blue (turquoise), greenish and yellow colors predominate. In my memory, it was postponed that the church inside is turquoise with yellow inserts. A completely painted church creates a completely different impression than, for example, a church with plain walls. The Church of Simeon the God-Receiver is not a functioning church, but a museum. In the western aisle there is a small exposition dedicated to the churches located behind the rampart near the Nerevsky end of Veliky Novgorod.

The church was built on the site of mass graves of citizens who died from the plague. It was originally wooden, like the rest of the churches of Novgorod. It was not possible to stop the epidemic that was raging in those years by the construction of the church, but the construction went through many centuries and still stands after surviving destructive wars and communist ruthless religions. Now inside the museum with beautiful and interesting frescoes.

Very interesting church. Entrance to the second floor, which provides excellent access to the frescoes

A small church of the 15th century on the territory of the Zverin Pokrovsky monastery. I recommend visiting for the sake of well-preserved frescoes. There are several very interesting churches nearby.

Very beautiful old church