Does a golden cupola glinting in the sunlight catch your eye when you look towards number 9 on Rizhsky Prospekt? That modest dome marks the spot of the Church of Holy Martyr Andrew of Crete. It is a house church. It forms part of a complex of historical buildings. These buildings once belonged to the Expedition for the Preparation of State Papers.
This church stands as a beacon of faith. It has a rich history intertwined with the imperial family. The Church of Holy Martyr Andrew of Crete was erected to commemorate a miraculous event. Emperor Alexander III and his family survived a train crash in 1888 near Borki. Workers and servants of the Expedition decided to build a church. They wanted to give thanks for the Tsar’s family being saved.
Academician Karl Maevsky designed the church. It was intended to accommodate 1500 people. It occupies the third floor of the administration building. Construction took place from 1891 to 1892. On October 18, 1892, Bishop Anthony of Vyborg consecrated the church. The church was dedicated to St. Andrew of Crete. The day of consecration coincided with the anniversary of the imperial family’s salvation. Father John of Kronstadt participated in the consecration. Father Filosof Nikolaevich Ornatsky became the first rector.
Externally, the Church of Holy Martyr Andrew of Crete may seem unassuming. But above the entrance is a copy of Ivan Makarov’s painting. This painting depicts the imperial train crash. Inside, the arches and columns are painted in encaustic technique. Icons adorn the carved oak iconostasis. Masters such as D.V. Trunov, Adolf Sharleman, and Viktor Bobrov created these icons.
In the summer of 1923, the church was shut down. It then served as a dormitory for factory workers. Later, it became a club.
The revival of the Church of Holy Martyr Andrew of Crete began in the 1990s. In 1998, a prayer service was held on St. Andrew’s feast day. Restoration work commenced. In 2006, the church was returned to the Orthodox community. It became a part of the Constantine-Eleninsky Monastery.
Within the walls of the Church of Holy Martyr Andrew of Crete, you can find over 70 relics of saints. These include parts of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. There are also relics of the Great Martyr George the Victorious. The church especially reveres images of St. Andrew of Crete. It also has images of Nicholas the Wonderworker. A Богоматери “Троеручица” icon is present.
Today, the Church of Holy Martyr Andrew of Crete continues to be a place of worship. It is a testament to faith. The church stands as a memorial to a miraculous escape. It offers solace and spiritual enrichment.