Leonovo Church, Moscow, Orthodox church in Rostokino District, Moscow, Russia.
Leonovo Church is a plastered stone and brick Orthodox church on Dokukina Street, about 300 metres south-east of Botanichesky Sad metro station. It consists of an octagon on a tall two-light quadrangle with a rectangular apse, a two-chapel refectory and a bell tower. The facades retain pilasters and corbelled cornices, with plastered window surrounds and exterior wall paintings added in 1859.
A wooden church is documented at Leonovo from 1633. The stone church was built between 1719 and 1722 on the estate of Prince Vasily Khovansky; tradition links it to his repentance for drunkenness and irreverent behaviour during services. In 1800 the naturalist and patron Pavel Demidov, who could not tolerate noise, had it closed, and its icons and iconostases were given to other churches by order of Metropolitan Platon. It reopened after 1859, when the estate passed to the Kapustin family.
The church serves the local Orthodox community for worship and celebrations, maintaining strong ties with the Moscow Eparchy. It remains an active spiritual center where visitors can observe religious practices throughout the year.
The church is accessible by public transportation in the Rostokino District along Dokukina Street. Visitors should respect religious customs at this active place of worship and consider checking ahead for current visiting hours.
Visitors are often surprised to learn the site dates back to 1633, well before the current building was constructed in 1719. This makes the location a rare example of continuous religious use spanning several centuries in Moscow.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,106 contributors worldwide.