“Another typical orthodox church?” you might ask as you stand before it. But the Church of Simeon and Anna is anything but typical. This beautiful Petrine Baroque church graces the corner of Belinskogo and Mokhovaya Streets. It adorns the square where the bridge crosses over the Fontanka River.
The Church of Simeon and Anna is one of the oldest churches in St. Petersburg. Its history is intertwined with the imperial family and the city itself. Today we will explore its unique architecture and fascinating past.
In 1714 Peter the Great ordered a wooden church to be built on this site. It was to celebrate the birth of his daughter Anna. Empress Anna Ioannovna also favored Saint Anna. In 1730 she commissioned architect Mikhail Zemtsov to replace the wooden church with a stone one. Zemtsov was a student of Domenico Trezzini. He is considered Russia’s first home-bred architect. He created this elegant yet simple church. Its soft yellow and white colors are very striking. The Church of Simeon and Anna was completed in 1734.
The Church of Simeon and Anna’s name has even left its mark on the city. Belinsky Street and Belinsky Bridge were once named Simeonovskie after the church.
Empress Anna attended services in this church. The Church of Simeon and Anna was originally reserved for the court. Later it became a popular public church for aristocratic locals.
After the Revolution the Bolsheviks closed the church in the 1930s. It was first used as a warehouse. Later it was given to the Meteorological Museum. Many original artifacts were lost during the Soviet era. The icons went to various museums. The church was returned to the Orthodox Church in the 1990s. Much of the interior has been restored. It is now a fully functioning church open to the public.
The interior of the Church of Simeon and Anna has been restored in a plain but attractive style. It offers a unique atmosphere for worship.
Even in recent times the Church of Simeon and Anna has been a place of significance. In 2018 President Vladimir Putin attended midnight Christmas services here. He presented the church with a special gift. It was a two-row icon with images of The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary and The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The icon dated back to the mid-19th century.
Putin’s grandfather was baptized in this church.
The Church of Simeon and Anna stands as a testament to St. Petersburg’s rich history. It is a blend of imperial patronage architectural innovation and spiritual devotion. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty. Consider the generations who have sought solace within its walls.