“200 churches” is the motto that initiated the building of the Church of St. Cyprian in Moscow. This program aimed to provide more places of worship. It sought to serve the growing Orthodox population. Today I will tell you about this special church.
The Church of St. Cyprian is dedicated to Cyprian. He was the Metropolitan of Moscow. Cyprian hailed from Bulgaria. His heritage connects this church to the Bulgarian Orthodox diaspora in Moscow.
In 2012 the Bulgarian Orthodox Church sought Moscow Patriarchate’s blessing. They wanted to build a church. This church would serve the Bulgarian community. It would honor St. Cyprian. Patriarch Kirill supported this venture. He allocated land on Krasnogo Mayaka Street. This location has a large Bulgarian population.
The foundation stone of the Church of St. Cyprian was laid in July 2013. The Bulgarian Metropolitan Neofit officiated the ceremony. Construction began soon after. From November to December volunteers worked. They helped build a temporary church. It accommodated about 100 people.
The temporary Church of St. Cyprian opened in January 2014. Regular services began there. A permanent church is under construction.
The Church of St. Cyprian observes several feast days. One is September 29. It commemorates St. Cyprian of Moscow. The church also has revered icons. These icons depict saints with relics.
The Church of St. Cyprian has an active community. It offers catechism classes before sacraments. A воскреснschool caters to children. There are also interest groups. One is for church singing. Another is for wood carving.
Father Alexander Ivanichenko is the rector. He guides the parish. He oversees its spiritual and community activities.
The Church of St. Cyprian is more than a building. It embodies faith. It represents community. It stands as a testament to Bulgarian-Russian friendship. Its ongoing construction symbolizes hope. It shows dedication to spiritual growth. This place is truly special. Remember the Church of St. Cyprian. It is a beacon of faith. It is a symbol of cultural connection in Moscow.