The Church of the Epiphany (Церковь Богоявления Господня) is a significant stone Orthodox church in the village of Pezhma, Velsky District, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia. Constructed in the early 19th century, it stands as a cultural and architectural landmark of the Russian North, blending classical design with baroque elements. Replacing earlier wooden churches, it has endured prosperity, Soviet-era closure, and recent revival efforts. With its five-domed structure, towering bell tower, and multiple chapels, it serves as Pezhma’s spiritual and communal heart. As of August 2025, the church is active but holds services only in summer due to ongoing restoration and the lack of a resident priest. It draws visitors for its historical significance and role in local cultural initiatives, embodying the resilience of rural Russian heritage.
Located in Pezhma, a village of about 1,500 residents on the Pezhma River, the church is roughly 20 kilometers southwest of Velsk, the district center. Part of the Pujemskoye Rural Settlement in Velsky District, Pezhma is set amid the forested, riverine landscapes of the Russian North, with traditional wooden houses and rolling terrain. The church occupies elevated ground, its white-plastered facade and bell tower dominating the village skyline, visible from a distance. The Pezhma River enhances the scenic setting, while nearby chapels, such as the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Bereg and St. Panteleimon in Sinega, connect it to a regional network of religious sites. Its prominent position makes it a focal point for both locals and tourists exploring the area’s cultural heritage.
The history of the Church of the Epiphany in the village of Pezhma,
Velsky District, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia, traces back to the 16th
century when the area was part of a parish originally known as
Frolovsky. The settlement itself was initially named Bogoyavlenskoye,
reflecting the church's dedication to the Epiphany (Bogoyavleniye in
Russian), and it served as a central religious and communal hub within
the Pezhma volost administrative unit. By 1710, a wooden Church of the
Epiphany had been established, featuring side chapels, but it was
destroyed by fire in 1729 and subsequently rebuilt in 1731. Alongside
this, other wooden structures in the vicinity included the Church of
Saints Florus and Laurus, rebuilt in 1754 on the site of an earlier
church, and the Church of St. Blasius, constructed in 1707 but lost to
fire in 1883. These wooden churches exemplified traditional Russian
ecclesiastical architecture in the region, often susceptible to fires
and requiring frequent rebuilding.
Construction of the Stone
Church
The current stone Church of the Epiphany was built between
1805 and 1806, replacing a dilapidated wooden predecessor. A building
contract was signed on October 13, 1804, and the structure was blessed
by Bishop Feofilakt of Vologda and Ustyug. This marked a shift from
wooden to more durable brick construction, reflecting broader trends in
Russian church building during the early 19th century. Initially a
one-story building, the church was designed in a classical style with
baroque influences, featuring a large white-plastered brick exterior.
The main volume is a three-light, single-apsed quadrangular frame
(chetverik) with three tiers of windows, topped by a central dome and a
decorative wooden five-domed structure on faceted drums, reaching
approximately 32 meters in height (excluding the bell tower). A
spacious, heated trapezoidal refectory adjoins the western side,
supported by six pillars and featuring cross vaults. The interior
includes multiple chapels: the main altar dedicated to the Epiphany, an
upper chapel originally for the Holy Trinity (later modified and removed
in the early 20th century), and side chapels in the refectory for St.
Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. George the Victorious. A carved
iconostasis was installed between 1824 and 1825, and a flagstone floor
was added in 1828-1829. Entrances are styled as triumphal arches,
enhancing the classical aesthetic.
Expansions and Early
Challenges
In 1834, a bell tower was added to the church, but it
developed cracks and was demolished in 1895 following an inspection by
Vologda architect Remer. A new, multi-tiered bell tower was constructed
from 1897 to 1904, reaching 52.5 meters tall including its cross, with
bells installed in 1903 and the cross added in 1904. This tower
showcases classical proportions and decorative elements, becoming a
prominent feature of the skyline. Between 1904 and 1914, the church
underwent significant expansions, including rebuilding the vaults,
heightening the refectory and main church walls, and removing the summer
church's second floor to create a two-light space with round windows
under cross vaults. A major event occurred in 1841 when a thunderstorm
damaged the altars, leading to repairs and reconsecration from 1842 to
1858.
Soviet Era and Closure
The church faced severe
challenges during the Soviet period. In 1922, liturgical items were
confiscated by authorities for famine relief efforts. The last service
was held in 1933, and in 1937, Soviet officials closed the church,
citing the community's alleged refusal to maintain it. It was repurposed
as a grain storage facility, warehouse, and even a diesel station, with
the churchyard used for machinery parking. This led to significant
deterioration, including the removal of bells, crosses, icons, and
frescoes. A companion wooden Church of Saints Florus and Laurus, closed
in 1936 and used as a club and storage, was destroyed by fire in 1986.
Restoration and Modern Era
The parish was re-established in 1991,
marking the beginning of revival efforts. Restoration started in the
1990s with community initiatives, including debris removal, supported by
the Territorial Public Self-Government (TOS) “Vozrozhdenie” and external
parishes like Moscow’s Butovo Polygon. Efforts intensified in 2009 with
the "Pezhma 2009" youth labor camp organized by the Russian Orthodox
Church, involving volunteers in structural repairs. The first Divine
Liturgy in 76 years was held on July 19, 2009. Annual youth camps
continued, such as in 2013, focusing on the stone architecture. As of
2025, restoration is ongoing, prioritizing the dome, drums, and bell
tower, with challenges in securing specialized skills. The church is
partially operational under the Arkhangelsk Metropolis, designated as a
cultural heritage site (No. 2900373001), and hosts summer services in
the St. Nicholas chapel, conducted by visiting clergy from the Holy
Dormition Church in Velsk. It remains open to visitors, integrated into
regional tourism, and supports community events like weddings and
baptisms, emphasizing its role in preserving local cultural heritage.
The parish in Pezhma traces its origins to the 16th century,
initially known as Frolovsky. Early records indicate a wooden Church of
the Epiphany existed by 1710, complete with side chapels, though it
burned down in 1729 and was rebuilt in 1731. Additional wooden churches
in the area included one dedicated to Saints Florus and Laurus (rebuilt
in 1754) and another to St. Blasius (constructed in 1707 but destroyed
by fire in 1883). The current stone church was constructed between 1805
and 1806, replacing these earlier wooden predecessors, and was blessed
by Bishop Feofilakt of Vologda and Ustyug. The building contract was
signed on October 13, 1804.
Significant modifications followed: A
bell tower was added in 1834 but developed structural cracks, leading to
its demolition in 1895 after an inspection by Vologda architect Remer. A
new, taller bell tower was erected from 1897 to 1904, with bells
installed in 1903 and a cross added in 1904. Between 1904 and 1914,
further expansions involved rebuilding the vaults, increasing the height
of the refectory and main church walls, and removing the second floor of
the summer church to create a two-light space illuminated by round
windows under cross vaults. In 1841, a thunderstorm damaged the altars,
which were repaired and reconsecrated between 1842 and 1858.
The
church's history reflects broader tumultuous events in Russia. During
the Soviet era, it was closed in 1937 and repurposed as grain storage
and a warehouse, with the churchyard used for machinery storage.
Liturgical items were confiscated in 1922 to aid famine relief, and the
last service before closure occurred in 1933. The first post-Soviet
Divine Liturgy was held on July 19, 2009, after a 76-year hiatus.
Restoration efforts began in the 1990s through community initiatives,
supported by organizations like TOS “Vozrozhdenie” and the parish of
Moscow’s Butovo Polygon. By the 2010s, focus shifted to the dome and
drums, and as of August 2025, restoration continues, with the church
active but holding services only in summer due to ongoing work and the
absence of a resident priest. It operates under the dependency of the
Holy Dormition Church in Velsk, with visiting clergy conducting
services.
Architectural Description
Exterior
The Church of
the Epiphany is a large brick structure plastered in white, embodying
the classical style prevalent in early 19th-century Russian church
architecture, with baroque influences evident in its decorative
elements. Originally a one-story building, expansions have elevated its
height to approximately 32 meters (excluding the bell tower). The main
volume consists of a three-light, single-apsed cube (known as a
chetverik in Russian architecture), topped by a central dome and a
decorative wooden five-domed configuration on faceted drums. This
five-domed structure is a hallmark of traditional Russian Orthodox
design, symbolizing the five wounds of Christ or the central church with
four evangelists.
Adjoined to the west is a spacious refectory,
featuring cross vaults and six supporting pillars. Round windows, added
in 1913, enhance the two-light effect, allowing natural illumination to
filter through the space. The multi-tiered bell tower, constructed
between 1897 and 1904, rises to 52.5 meters including its cross,
showcasing classical proportions with ornate details and serving as a
visual anchor for the village. Entrances are designed as triumphal
arches, adding a sense of grandeur and ceremonial entry. Materials
primarily include brick for the core structure, with wooden elements in
the domes and decorative features; the refectory incorporates heated
stoves for winter functionality, and a flagstone floor was installed
between 1828 and 1829.
Interior
The interior layout includes
multiple chapels: the main altar dedicated to the Epiphany, a former
upper chapel for the Holy Trinity (removed in the early 20th century),
and side chapels in the refectory for St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and
St. George the Victorious. A carved iconostasis was added between 1824
and 1825, though much of the original interior decor, including icons
and frescoes, was damaged or lost during the Soviet repurposing. The
design emphasizes simplicity, with cross vaults creating a serene,
expansive atmosphere enhanced by natural light from the round windows.
As of 2025, only the St. Nicholas chapel is fully operational, with
other areas still under restoration to recapture historical
authenticity. Detailed records of current frescoes or specific icons are
limited, but ongoing efforts prioritize restoring the space's spiritual
and aesthetic integrity.
Unique Features
One standout element
is the towering bell tower, whose chimes echo across the village,
blending functional acoustics with architectural prominence. The
five-domed wooden superstructure on the chetverik is a decorative
highlight, merging traditional symbolism with the church's classical
base. The refectory's pillar-supported cross vaults and integrated
heating system reflect practical adaptations for the harsh northern
climate, allowing year-round use in its heyday. Additionally, the
church's integration with nearby chapels—like the late-19th-century
Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Bereg and St. Panteleimon in
Sinega—forms a regional ecclesiastical network, unique to the Velsky
District's rural landscape.
The interior houses multiple chapels: the main altar dedicated to the Epiphany, an upper chapel for the Holy Trinity (removed in the early 20th century), and refectory side chapels for St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and St. George the Victorious. A carved iconostasis was installed in 1824-1825. Soviet-era repurposing damaged much of the original interior, with many icons and frescoes lost. Restoration has prioritized functional spaces, and as of 2025, only the St. Nicholas chapel is operational, with others awaiting repair. The interior emphasizes simplicity, with cross vaults and natural light from round windows creating a serene atmosphere. No detailed records of current frescoes or icons exist, but efforts aim to restore historical authenticity.
As a federal cultural heritage site, the Church of the Epiphany is central to Pezhma’s identity as a “creative village.” Its restoration has spurred tourism and community engagement, with initiatives like the “Skalinka” museum, theatrical performances of village history, traditional song and dance festivals, and culinary programs like “Pezhem Delicacies” showcasing local foods. The church hosts summer services, weddings, and baptisms, strengthening community ties. Supported by TOS “Vozrozhdenie” and external parishes, it draws visitors from Velsk and beyond, positioning Pezhma as a cultural hub in Velsky District. In 2025, it symbolizes local pride, with events like guided tours and folk craft workshops centered around its historical presence.
As of August 2025, the church is active but operates seasonally, with Sunday services in summer conducted by visiting clergy from Velsk due to the lack of a resident priest. Restoration continues, focusing on the dome, drums, and bell tower, with challenges in securing specialized expertise. The St. Nicholas chapel functions, while others remain under repair. The church is open to visitors, integrated into regional tourism programs, and supported by community fundraising. Its bell tower’s chimes resonate across the village, reinforcing its role as a local landmark.
The church connects to nearby religious sites, including the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God chapel in Bereg (late 19th century) and St. Panteleimon chapel in Sinega. Its history reflects broader regional events, such as the 1917 parish council formation and 1922 confiscations for famine relief. Built during Alexander I’s reign, it exemplifies Russian ecclesiastical architecture’s transition to classical forms. Visitors access it via tours from Velsk, experiencing Pezhma’s folk traditions and natural beauty alongside the church’s grandeur. The ongoing restoration underscores community commitment to preserving this architectural gem in the Russian North.