The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl near Bogolyubov miraculously survived to the present day. Unlike other Vladimir councils, he was not threatened by fires and raids by the Tataro-Mogul army, nor by militant atheists of the communist era, but by the representatives of the Orthodox Church. The abbot of the Bogoliubov monastery asked the Bishop of Vladimir permission to dismantle the temple to use to build the bell tower in his monastery. The sanction was given and only the fact that the hegumen could not agree with the workers on the price saved the temple. "
The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl was built by Andrei Bogolyubsky in memory of his beloved son Izyaslav, who died during the campaign of the Vladimir army to the Volga Bulgaria . The white stone for the cladding of the temple was rumored to have been brought from there - as an indemnity.
The temple itself is dedicated was sacrificed in the very new holiday of the Intercession of the Virgin in Russia, which, with the consent of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Metropolitan of Kiev, was introduced by Prince Andrey as a testament to the patronage of the Virgin to the Vladimir-Suzdal lands.
The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl is built on a secluded meadow near the Nerl River on a place chosen by the prince himself. There it looks, of course, very picturesque, though, so that it is not flooded during the spring flood, it was necessary to build an artificial hill. Because of this during the flood, the temple is completely surrounded by the waters of the river, reaching almost to the very walls.
Despite the fact that this temple is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Russian architecture, it is constructively very simple - the usual cross-domed temple. From other Vladimir churches it is distinguished first of all by amazing ease. The proportions of the temple are considered very exquisite, and the composition is simple, which, in comparison with the majesty and richness of the Assumption Cathedral, was supposed to symbolize the victory of the spirit over matter.
The exterior of the facade walls is decorated with traditional white stone carvings for Vladimir's cathedrals. On all three walls the same story is repeated - King David, sitting on the throne and surrounded by pigeons and lions. According to the results of the excavation, the temple was previously surrounded by an open gallery decorated with bright tiles
Photo Bogolyubovo (7)