An island of holiness in the center of Moscow. It's good that it's hidden a little deeper. Those who have a heart and soul drawn to it will come. Those who do not need it will not touch it with their indifference. Although, I hope that this unique island of the Holy Spirit will attract those seeking salvation. It’s a shame that it’s impossible to convey what pleases the eye inside the temple, so I’m posting photos only from the outside. God bless you.

An interesting historical object, perhaps the only one of its kind, connected in the most direct way with Alexander Danilovich Menshikov, prince, count, His Serene Highness, Generalissimo, President of the Military Collegium, Riga Governor-General, exile.

Temple of the Great Martyr Theodore Stratilates. (1806) Was closed for divine services from 1930 to 1948. In 1948, a courtyard of the Antiochian Orthodox Church was opened in the temple. (Moscow, Arkhangelsky lane, 15a, Chistye Prudy metro station). 02/21/18. 1st Week of Great Lent. Memory of the Great Martyr Theodore Stratilates. Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

An incredibly beautiful temple and a unique structure, the so-called Menshikov Tower, a temple that survived all Soviet times. It is rare to find remnants of the Moscow Baroque in the city. The inside of the temple is kept in excellent condition, all the bas-reliefs have been restored, and the wall paintings are in proper condition.

Everywhere - on the columns, rectangular pilasters, even between the windows - there are sculptures, stone flowers and other magnificent decorations that made the building an incomparable work of art. The walls of the temple are decorated with plot paintings. Cherubim are skillfully depicted on the cornices and cartouches. The refectory is decorated with caryatids, and above the cartouches are masterfully executed high reliefs of angels. Under the tall dome - painting with Christian characters. The walls and windows above are also decorated with sculptural ornaments. In one of the rows of the beautiful iconostasis, in a beautiful silver chasuble, there is the Image of the Holy Archangel Gabriel.

🕌🕌🕌 Menshikov Tower (Russian: Меншикова башня), also known as the Church of Archangel Gabriel, is a Baroque Russian Orthodox Church in Basmanny District of Moscow, within the Boulevard Ring. The church was initially built in 1707 to order of Alexander Menshikov by Ivan Zarudny assisted by Domenico Trezzini, a team of Italian-Swiss craftsmen from Ticino and Fribourg cantons and Russian stonemasons from Kostroma and Yaroslavl. The earliest extant Petrine Baroque building in Moscow, Menshikov Tower was substantially altered in the 1770s. The church traditionally functioned in summer only; in winter the congregation assembled in nearby Church of Theodor Stratelates, built in 1782–1806. Church of Saint Theodore also provides the bells for ritual ringing: despite its height, Menshikov Tower does not have bells.

In Moscow, such an ancient temple is very rare. Sandwiched between houses, it's almost impossible to take photos.

(Translated by Google) The Russian and Antiochian Apostolic Churches are linked by centuries-old spiritual ties. At the beginning of the 19th century, the hierarchy of the Antiochian Church expressed a desire to have a permanent representative at the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church ... The request met with a sympathetic response ... In 1848, representatives of the Antiochian Church began their ministry in Moscow, which was interrupted due to the revolutionary events of the 17th year of the last century ... Exactly one hundred years later, at the beginning of 1948, with the blessing of His Holiness the Patriarch Alexy 1 in two churches, the Archangel Gabriel and the Great Martyr Theodore Stratilates, the courtyard of the Patriarch of Antioch was located and divine services were resumed. The opening of the courtyard took place on June 17, 1948. The two-altar building in honor of the great martyr Theodore Stratilates was built in 1782-1806 by architect I.V. Egotov in the courtyard of the temple of the Archangel Gabriel as a warm temple with a bell tower. Just in case, Theodore Stratilates is a Christian saint revered in the face of the great martyrs. Saint Theodore Stratilates is revered as the patron saint of the Christian army. By the way, there are streets settlements that bear the name of the saint. And here's another interesting fact: In 2010, Patriarch Kirill installed Theodore as the heavenly patron of the Federal Bailiff Service, volunteering to help the restoration of the Feodorovsky women's monastery in Pereslavl-Zalessky ... The main altar of the temple is dedicated to Theodore Stratilates, according to him, the temple received a new name. The main shrine of the temple is considered the Icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy". Temple day - commemoration of the great martyr Theodore Stratilates February 21. Divine Liturgy is held on weekdays at 8.00, on Sundays at 7.30, evening service on the eve at 18.00. (Original) Русскую и Антиохийскую Апостольские Церкви связывают многовековые духовные узы. В начале 19 века Священноначалием Антиохийской Церкви было высказано пожелание иметь при Святейшем Синоде Русской Православной Церкви постоянного представителя... Пожелание встретило сочуственный отклик... В 1848 году представители Антиохийской Церкви начали своё служение в Москве, которое было прервано из-за революционных событий 17-го года прошлого века... Ровно через сто лет,в начале 1948 года по благословению Святейшего Патриарха Алексия 1 в двух храмах, Архангела Гавриила и великомученика Феодора Стратилата,было размещено подворье Антиохийского Патриарха и возобновились богослужения. Открытие подворья состоялось 17 июня 1948 года. Двухпрестольное здание в честь великомученика Феодора Стратилата было построено в 1782-1806 гг.архитектором И.В.Еготовым во дворе храма Архангела Гавриила как тёплый храм с колокольней. На всякий случай,Феодор Стратилат - христианский святой,почитаемый в лике великомучеников.Святой Феодор Стратилат почитается покровителем христианского воинства. Кстати,существуют улицы, населённые пункты,которые носят имя святого. А вот ещё интересный факт.В 2010 году,Патриарх Кирилл установил Феодора небесным покровителем Федеральной службы судебных приставов, добровольно помогающей восстановлению Феодоровского женского монастыря в Переславле-Залесском... Главный престол храма посвящён Феодору Стратилату, по нему храм и получил новое имя. Главной святыней храма считается Икона Божией Матери "Нечаянная Радость". Храмовой день - празднование памяти великомученика Феодора Стратилата 21 февраля. Божественная литургия проходит по будням в 8.00,по воскресным дням в 7.30, вечернее богослужение накануне в 18.00.

A very beautiful temple. I was there for the first time for my baptism in 2007. Small, but special. It's a shame I can't go there often.

The most amazing early morning service, by the head priest father Niphon. He has such a divine voice, and so charismatic. Exactly how it should be. Church prayers at their best

One of my favorite in Moscow. It is very cosy, quiet and tranquile. No surprise - it is more than 300 y.o. After recent renovation the interior became filled with light. Come visit and you won't regret!

The Menshikov Tower also belongs to the Antioch courtyard.

Well, I don’t know who renamed this temple, but the sign on the temple says a different name. And the temple is beautiful, both inside and outside. I advise you to go and have a look for yourself

Stunningly beautiful historical place!!! It’s a pity, really, that such architectural monuments need restoration!