Church of Elijah the Prophet

Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl

The Church of Elijah the Prophet is an ornate snow-white temple located in the center of Yaroslavl, on Sovetskaya Square. It is an outstanding architectural monument of the Yaroslavl school of architecture of the XVII century. The construction of the church was carried out from 1647 to 1650. It was named in honor of the prophet Elijah and was the first church of the city. According to the “Tale of the Building of the City of Yaroslavl” the church was laid by Prince Yaroslav the Wise at the same time as the city itself – in gratitude for the victory of the prince over the bear, which occurred on the day of this saint. The exterior decoration of the Church of Elijah the Prophet is unique: each facade has its own artistic solution, the recessed windows are framed with platbands, the texture is given by arches and profiled screens, the drums are decorated with belts and surrounded by kokoshniks, the ornate tiles attract attention. On the perimeter of the temple, on three sides, goes two-tiered gallery.