There are special places on earth where people are attracted by a certain mystical force. In these places, people draw creative strength, inspiration and desire to live. One of these places is the unique temple of the Holy Spirit in Talashkino near Smolensk. This temple was conceived and built by Nicholas Roerich himself.
Not far from Smolensk, on the Flenovo farm, a pyramidal temple of the Holy Spirit was built about 100 years ago. This temple was conceived by the mystic, artist and scientist Nicholas Roerich, and was supposed to become the church of the future religion, predicted by the greatest prophets and thinkers of all times and peoples.
Sketch of the Temple of the Holy Spirit in Talashkino near Smolensk
At the beginning of the 20th century, leading creators considered this place mystical. They argued that in Flenovo, on the estate of the Tenishev princes, a special inspiration descended, and here a certain special creative spirit hovers everywhere.
Mosaic on the portal of the Church of the Holy Spirit
It was here that Nicholas Roerich created one of his greatest works of art - a huge mosaic "Savior Not Made by Hands" depicting the face of Jesus. The mosaic laid out on the portal of the Church of the Holy Spirit fascinates with the depth of bottomless eyes.
The Talashkino estate, a fragment of the mosaic of the church of St. Spirit
Unfortunately, time is ruthless for churches as well. The building of the temple was destroyed. But in 2016, the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit in the Smolensk historical and architectural complex "Teremok" was restored. In the temple, brickwork, blind areas, windows were restored, the interior of the temple was recreated.
The Talashkino estate, a fragment of the mosaic of the church of St. Spirit
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At the same time, the restorers managed to preserve fragments of the wall paintings created by Nicholas Roerich at the beginning of the 20th century, although the damp microclimate inside the church caused them significant harm during Roerich's lifetime. About 40 million rubles were spent on the restoration. Today the restorers hope that money will be allocated in the near future to restore the mosaic created by Roerich.
The Talashkino estate, a fragment of the mosaic of the church of St. Spirit
And today esoteric pilgrims from different countries aspire here. There are always a lot of tourists in this place. Indeed, in addition to the church, there are two museums in Flenovo, which contain the richest collections of works of art and items of national life.
The Talashkino estate, a fragment of the mosaic of the church of St. Spirit
Due to the non-canonical views of the founders of the church in Talashkino on Christianity, the Temple of the Spirit has never been consecrated by the Orthodox Church.