Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl, Eastern Orthodox church in central Yaroslavl, Russia
The Church of Elijah the Prophet is a brick building crowned with five domes that rest on light cylindrical drums and sits on a raised foundation. A two-story covered gallery surrounds the main structure and defines its architectural character.
Built between 1647 and 1650 by wealthy merchants engaged in the Siberian fur trade, it replaced earlier wooden structures standing at a major intersection of trade routes. The construction of this brick church marked the city's growing commercial importance.
The interior walls display frescoes created in 1680 by renowned painters, showing scenes from religious texts and daily life of that era. These artworks reflect how late seventeenth-century Russians understood and portrayed sacred narratives.
The church is located in central Yaroslavl, about 210 kilometers northeast of Moscow, making it accessible by river cruises and overland travel from the capital. Walking through the old town brings you directly to the site.
In 1650, the church received a precious relic - the Robe of Christ - from the Patriarch of Moscow, which led to the construction of a dedicated chapel for its veneration. This gift turned the location into a pilgrimage destination drawing visitors from distant places.
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