Yusupovo, Nizhny Novgorod Province, August 7, 2025
Photo: ardatov-blag.ru
On August 2, the first Divine Liturgy since the Soviet era was celebrated in the ruins of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Church in the village of Yusupovo, Nizhny Novgorod Province.
The service was led by Igumen John (Zhigin), rector of the Church of St. Vladimir the Equal-to-the-Apostles in the village of Nadezhino. Following the Divine Liturgy, a water blessing service was celebrated, reports the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolitanate.
In his pastoral address, Fr. John congratulated all present on the feast day of the Holy Prophet Elijah and thanked everyone for their joint prayer. He emphasized the historic significance of the moment, noting that this was the first Divine Liturgy celebrated in the church since its closure under Soviet rule.
Photo: ardatov-blag.ru
“The revival of the church and the celebration of a divine service after such a long break is not only a restoration of spiritual life, but also a symbol of hope and unity for parishioners,” Fr. John said.
OrthoChristian has reported on the revival of the liturgical life at several churches in the Nizhny Novgorod Province, including at St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Church in the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin in June 2018, Transfiguration Church in the village of Kadnitsy in February 2022, and Holy Trinity Church in the village of Ichalovo in August 2022.
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The original wooden church dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was built in the village of Yusupovo around 1640. In 1772, a stone church with two altars was constructed, dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. Sergius of Radonezh.
Conservation work on the church is currently underway.
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