In Bashkortostan Yumatov, local residents themselves restore the historic Transfiguration Church

Two local residents named Vladimir - Stukan and Vasiliev - stood at the head of an initiative group of villagers who took upon themselves a difficult task: to restore the shrine on their own, which was built in the 19th century and was supported by the efforts of the famous noble family Gerken until the revolutionary events.

A two-story prayer house in the classicism style with porticoes on the northern and southern facades and a three-tiered bell tower was erected in 1823 - although the Preobrazhensky parish itself had officially existed since 1752. In 1882, at the expense of the local landowner, Major Vladimir Fedorovich Gerken, the bell tower was added to one more tier. The main altar, consecrated in honor of the Great Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, was on the second floor. And on the first floor there were chapels in the name of St. Peter, Metropolitan of Moscow and in honor of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God 'Life-giving source'. The temple was well heated, which in the harsh local climate made it possible to hold services in it all year round.

In the godless era, the once majestic building gradually fell into a depressing state. So lasted until modern times - however, three years ago, local residents took upon themselves a difficult task: to return the village church to its former greatness. They brought a modern heating system into the building, made it with blood again, and began major repairs to the altar. “And a lot of other things have been done and bought, you can't remember everything. Everyone helps as much as they can, everyone. Together we go out to subbotniks, we try to invest every penny in a good cause. So today our people went to the fair, the money raised will go to the church, ”a local resident Irina told the Volzhskaya Novi correspondent.

But, perhaps, the most important thing is that divine services have resumed in the restored church. Let them pass so far not so often, and the priests who come to Yumatovo perform them - be that as it may, the temple came to life. The villagers feel this: more and more local residents come to the Transfiguration Church to light a candle, pray for salvation, or just silently stand by the icon alone with their thoughts.