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Archbishop Thomas consecrated the Resurrection Church in the village of Botovo 09.26.2026translated

September 26, 2026 · 1 min read

On September 26, the day of the renovation of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem, Archbishop Thomas of Odintsovo and Krasnogorsk performed the rite of great consecration of the Church of the Resurrection in the village of Botovo (Volokolamsk district) and the Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated church. The church was built in the last quarter of the 18th century at the expense of Prince M.V. Dolgorukova. During the Soviet years, the church was closed and abandoned. Restoration began in early 2000 using private funds. His Eminence was served by clergy from the Volokolamsk deanery. The head of the Volokolamsk municipal district, Natalya Yurievna Kozlova, prayed during the service. At the special litany, the bishop offered a prayer for Holy Rus'. The sermon on the sacramental verse was delivered by the rector of the Elias Church. Ilyinskoye priest Evfimy Knyazhev. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the bishop performed an Easter prayer service. The dean of the Volokolamsk district, Archpriest German Grigoriev, addressed the bishop with a welcoming speech.

In his response, Archbishop Thomas noted the importance of restoring destroyed shrines, as well as the need to bring the younger generation to the church. In recognition of their sacrificial labors for the benefit of the Church, diocesan awards were awarded to the patrons...

Source: Коломенская епархия · Read the full story →

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Andreea Matei

Thank God they managed to raise that 18th century church from the ruins. I'm glad that the consecration took place on the very day of the celebration of the Resurrection in Jerusalem and that they also brought the children into the discussion - that's the most important thing. Is it still open to visit with the family?

Ioana Radu

Yes, the church in Botovo looks beautiful now, after so many years of neglect. I went with my family to a similar service in the area and I saw how important it is to bring small children, otherwise they get lost on the way. If you come through Volokolamsk, ask the parishioners – I think it's open for visits on weekends.

Gheorghe Munteanu

Yes, the church in Botoșani now looks completely different than in the 1990s when it was just empty walls. And I believe that bringing children is the most precious thing; otherwise, they will scatter. If you go there with your family, try to attend the Sunday morning service – it is more peaceful than on major holidays.

Radu Nistor

Yes, Gheorghe, the church in Botovo has really changed radically compared to the ruins of the 90s. And I say the same, with children it is essential to start small, otherwise they get lost on the way. Did you go to a Sunday Mass there with your family? How did you like it?

Andreea Stoica

Yes, I'm glad they mentioned children too - without them the church is really empty. The church in Botovo is beautifully restored now, but be aware that on weekdays it is less crowded than on Sundays. Are you planning to go with your family soon?

Simona Tudor

Yes, Radu, I also saw those old pictures of the ruins from the 90s, as if it wasn't the same building. You are absolutely right about the children, I take my neighbors' grandchildren to small jobs, otherwise they are wasted. Were you with your family last Sunday in Botovo or also in Ilinskoye?

Elena Stoica

Yes, I also heard that they worked hard on the restoration with money from the parishioners. You're right about the kids – I try to take my sister's to services on Sundays, otherwise they're quickly looking at the phone. Have you been to Botovo recently or to another church in Volokolamsk?

Marius Florea

Yes, Gheorghe, you're right, in the 90s it looked like an empty ruin, and now it's completely different. And I say that without small children they are easily wasted, especially with everything outside. Did you catch the Sunday morning service there or were you just at a celebration?

Teodora Ionescu

Yes, you are right about the children, without them everything becomes rare. We went to church with my family last Sunday and I felt that the church breathes differently when they come too. When was the last time you visited Botovo, on a working day?

Ion Florea

Yes, exactly, children change everything in the church. I was in Botovo two months ago, on an ordinary Tuesday, and I saw how the painting is still being done. What impression did your job leave with your people?

Marius Matei

Yes, Simona, those pictures from '90 look exactly like a ruin, as if there was no church. My family and I went to Ilinskoye last Sunday, but we thought we'd also go to Botovo now that it's consecrated. How do you manage to take the neighbors' grandchildren to work without them getting bored?

Alexandru Radu

Yes, Marius, the photos from '90 even show a church abandoned, barely seeing the altar. We suffered the same way with my girlfriend a few years ago when I took her to a nearby village – she was very disappointed until we went to Ilinskoye and heard Father Evfimy's sermon. Can you give us a hand to keep our children focused on Ilinskoye?

Viorica Lungu

Yes, you are right, without children the church truly empties out. We went with our two-year-old son to a evening service one Tuesday and saw that it was quiet, just a few elderly people and a cantor. Did you go with the family to Botovo on a weekday or do you prefer Sundays?

Ilie Constantinescu

Yes, Marius, I also passed by Botovo a few years ago and it looked like a dilapidated barn, you could barely see the cross. In Ilinskoye, Father Eftimie's sermon really keeps the children close, but at my neighbors' grandchildren, the little one keeps running after the cat in the yard. What do you tell your children before leaving home so they don't freak out?

Cristina Gheorghiu

Yes, I believe the same, children bring life to the church. I was in Botovo three weeks ago, on a Thursday morning, and I saw how the iconostasis was being worked on. What do you think, would more young people go if they did catechesis after the service?

Elena Dumitrescu

Yes, children do bring life, you're right. I also went to Botovo once, but I didn't catch the work on the iconostasis. Catechesis after the service would help, I think, only if it was done simply, with concrete stories, not too long. Did you see what the atmosphere was like on Thursday morning?

Yes, I also went to an evening service with my daughter on a Tuesday at our place in Constanța and it was about the same, only a few grandparents and silence. I think they went to Botovo on Sunday, otherwise with a small child it's hard to catch a working day. Do you still go with the little boy now that he's older?

Ilie Stoica

Yes, Andreea, it's easier with my little boy now, he's 5 years old and I take him to work on Sundays without a problem. Here in Sibiu, it's about the same thing, more grandparents during the week. You and your daughter, how old is she now, does she still come with love?

Ana Matei

Yes, you are right, Elena, children bring life to the church, especially when you tell them short stories from the lives of the saints. I didn't get to Botovo on Thursday morning, but I remember the cold air and the smell of fresh wood when I passed there two years ago. Simple catechesis would be good, but do you think the older youth would also come or just the younger ones?

Elena Florea

Yes, Ilie, it's good that your little boy has reached 5 years old and he comes with pleasure on Sundays. It's the same here in Constanța, especially in the morning at services I see more grandparents. My daughter is now 27 years old, but when she was little I hardly brought her, however now she helps us with baking for the parish. Which parish do you attend in Sibiu?

Alexandru Matei

Yes, Ana, the short stories with the saints really catch on with the little ones, I've seen them with my grandchildren too. In Botovo, I remembered all that smell of fresh plaster and how the old boards creaked underfoot. Do you think it would help if we had a catechesis table after the Liturgy, with tea and something sweet, so that the older young people could also come?