Church of the Holy Mandylion, Eastern Orthodox church in Tobolsk, Russia.
The Church of the Holy Mandylion is an Orthodox church building in Tobolsk with characteristic Siberian features. The structure has traditional onion domes, decorated walls, and a central complex that stands out clearly against the flat landscape.
A wooden Church of the Saviour was founded on this site in 1587, right after the Trinity Church was built in Tobolsk's small town. It burned at the end of the 17th century and was rebuilt; in 1709, under Metropolitan Philotheus (Leshchinsky), a stone church was laid beside it, partly funded by the merchant Stefan Tretyakov. Two side chapels were added in 1772 and 1791, and the bell tower was built in the second half of the 18th century. In 1844 the funeral of the Decembrist Alexander Baryatinsky was held here; after 1917 the church was closed, beheaded in the 1930s, and later housed a registry office and an icon-painting workshop. It is currently under restoration.
The church displays religious artworks and ornaments that reflect the Orthodox tradition of the region. These pieces show how faith shaped life in the Siberian community.
The church stands in Tobolsk's central historic quarter, near the Trinity Church site where its wooden predecessor stood from 1587. The building is currently under restoration, so access to the interior may be limited; check locally before planning a visit. The bell tower was added only in the second half of the 18th century, so look for it above the main volume.
In 1975, workers found a hoard of paper money from 1898–1921 hidden in the church wall. The building later held a registry office and an icon-painting workshop before restoration began.
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