The Temple in the name of Holy and Righteous Zechariah and Elisabeth.

The Temple in the name of Holy and Righteous Zechariah and Elisabeth.

Near the "House of Diligence", formed by John of Kronstadt, majestic St. Andrew's Cathedral was built, and though the All Russian parson did not force monastery laborers to attend Services and not even asked about their religious affiliation - thousands of people strengthened in their faith and came to Orthodoxy, because of the prayers of Saint John.

The basis of the spiritual life in the St. John Monastery (go to the page about the St. John Monastery) has always been a prayer and worship. No matter how important is the task of feeding and clothing the monastery laborers, pastoral care always stands in the first place.
During the construction of the Church of St. John in Kiev, even on workdays, Sovereign Alexey served the liturgy, and daily on breaks he read Akathists to the Jesus, the Virgin Mary, St. John of Kronstadt and St. John of Shanghai.
When the "House of Diligence" moved to Malaya Soltanovka, virtually immediately the home church of Alexis the Man of God was equipped. Soon, at the Women's monastic order (go to the page about the Women's monastic order) was built a home church of St. Nicholas.

People of different nationalities, different age and social status seek help in the monastery. Alexey Sovereign tries, if possible, to help everyone - acting according to the covenant of St. John of Kronstadt: "Give destitute roof over his head, feed him and join to work ..." So at the "House of Diligence" was formed multiethnic community: here live and work peacefully Russian and Ukrainian , Jews, Moldavians, negros and Uruguayans.

Over the years, hundreds of monastery laborers  and inhabitants of the "House of Diligence" were gradually attached to the prayer, began to to attend worship, many took Baptism and went to the Orthodox faith, took monastic vows and entered in the male monastic community at the Holy Zechariah and Elisabeth Skete. Local residents from the surrounding villages began to visit the monastery Services.

Besides constantly come pilgrims not only from the other cities of Ukraine and Russia, but also from other countries (wide geography from America to African Burundiya). The scale of charitable activities and scope of the construction of St. John monastery attracts people, gives hope for the development and strengthening of Orthodoxy even in recent times.

Today, two small home temples can no longer accommodate all wishing to attend the worship service. Therefore, it became necessary to build a new Temple in the name of Holy and Righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth (go to page about Lives of the Saints).

On the eve of Easter day in 2010, the rite of foundation of Holy and Righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth Temple was performed, and the first stone was laid.

The base of temple complex is built on 112 piles, filled with a monolithic foundation, with a total area of about 730m2. The architecture of the Temple revives the Byzantine tradition and brings us back to the first centuries of Christianity. The building closes the east side of the Skeet and merges with the supporting wall that gives the structure a monumental solemnity.

The architecture of the Temple of Holy and Righteous Zechariah and Elizabeth brings us back to the Byzantine tradition of church-building, at the same time the church reflects the Russian style of architecture, which is peculiar to many domed church structure.

Next to the Temple of the Holy and Righteous Zachariah and Elizabeth stands 47 meter high bell tower, which consists of five sections. It remains to establish the dome with a cross and bell tower is almost ready.

Soon Ringing of church bells will collect monks, novices, employees and parishioners at the service.
The vast temple complex is located on two levels: in the lower tier is laid the Church of the Holy Royal Martyrs (go to page about Lives of the Saints), with two limits: one is dedicated to Saint Philaret Voznesensky, the other - to the John of Shanghai and San Francisco.

The altar of the lower the Temple already finished, interior work in the right and left corners the Lower Temple. The upper church is strengthened, walls are erected, reinforced concrete floors are installed.

Although much has been accomplished, much remains to be done to complete the construction of the Temple. Now all the strength is thrown to the completion of the upper tier of the building: walls are to be brought, ceiling completed, the roof erected, the temple covered with domes.

This time-consuming work requires a lot of costs for materials, equipment and paying for skilled labor, these men could not be dispensed with in such large-scale construction.

We invite everyone to join the cause of charitable church-building. According to an ancient tradition of the Orthodox our Temple is built all together, and no matter what kind of contribution each can make, the main thing is to work for the glory of God.

St. John of Kronstadt said: "Who will show us what is our Christian title and its responsibilities? The Church gives it to us, these spiritual forces we can receive in the temple of God through the sacraments. Here hovers the spirit of heaven, unearthly, here is the school of Jesus Christ, which raise the future citizens of heaven, here you get the lessons of heaven of the Divine Mentor Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in the Gospel... "