Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Plyos

Symbol of Victory over Napoleon and the Beauty of Plyos

The stone Resurrection Church in Plyos, built in 1817 in honor of the victory over the French in the Patriotic War of 1812, is a striking example of the combination of 17th-century Yaroslavl architecture and early 19th-century classicism decor. The high two-tier quadrangle of the church is crowned with a five-domed structure with a central light dome and surrounded by columns and pediments, giving the building elegance and grandeur. The church is illuminated through rectangular windows, and its 32.5-meter bell tower is visible from afar, like a beacon for those traveling to Plyos by water.

Throughout the 19th century, the church played an important role in the life of the city. Services and church holidays were held here, and a parish school operated in the church. The Resurrection Church was the center of spiritual life in the city and its surroundings, visited not only by local residents but also by pilgrims from other regions.

The Church in Soviet Times

After the October Revolution, difficult times began for the church. In 1939, the church was closed, and its premises were used for various economic purposes. A transformer was installed in the altar part, and the main building served as a grain storage and carpentry workshop. Despite the efforts of local residents to preserve the church, it continued to deteriorate.

In 1961, thanks to the initiative of artist Boris Prorokov and his wife, an art gallery was created in the church building, where works of graphics, painting, and sculpture by famous artists were stored. The gallery existed until 1990, when the church was returned to the faithful, and its restoration began.

The Church Today

The modern interior of the church includes a five-tier iconostasis created in the style of ancient Russian architecture. In 2015, the Resurrection Church won the nomination for “Best Implemented Project for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage Objects” at the Urban Planning Competition, highlighting its importance for Russia's cultural heritage.

Today, the church is active again, its domes shining in the sun thanks to recently installed gold coverings, and ten new bells have been installed next to the church, the largest of which weighs 2.7 tons. The Resurrection Church is now equipped with LED lights that illuminate the church at night.

Next to the church is the wooden chapel of Archangel Michael, brought from the village of Antonovo and restored in the 1980s. Together they form a single architectural ensemble that harmoniously fits into the city's landscape. The Resurrection Church is often seen on postcards depicting Plyos, as well as in the films “Two Captains,” “Cruel Romance,” “Chinese Service,” and the TV series “The Golden Calf.” The rector of the Resurrection Parish is Father Anastasy.