The Patriarchal Chambers and the Church of the Twelve Apostles is a minor cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, commissioned by Patriarch Nikon as part of his stately residence in 1653 and dedicated to Philip the Apostle three years later. It also serves as a part of Moscow Kremlin Museums. The church is almost as prominent as neighbouring grand cathedrals of the 15th century, due to its placement upon a high podium, pierced by two large arches allowing passage from the Cathedral Square to the patriarch's courtyard. The exterior walls are decorated with two belts of columned arches which reference both the neighbouring cathedrals of the Cathedral Square and the great churches of the 12th-century Vladimir-Suzdal school which had been their inspiration. The rigorous outline of five helmeted domes, in keeping with Nikon's conservative architectural tastes, serves to accentuate the church's Byzantine pedigree.
History
Early Times
The premises of the Muscovite metropolitan had existed in the Kremlin since the 14th century, Patriarch Nikon, who aspired to rival the Tsar in authority and magnificence, had them replaced with a much more ambitious residence, centered on a spacious chamber in the form of the cross, once used as a banqueting hall but now serving as a museum of applied arts. starting with the first Metropolitan Peter, who settled in Moscow. Over the course of their long history, the buildings of the metropolitan and then the patriarchal court have undergone many changes. The first stone chamber on the estate was built in 1450, under Jonah of Moscow, at the same time the Church of the Deposition of the Robe was erected, which became the house church of the Moscow metropolitans. After the Moscow fire in 1473, the courtyard burned out, and in 1484-1485 the church and chambers were rebuilt. However, after the fire of 1493, the compound was again rebuilt. In the years 1566-1568, on the east side, the church of the Solovetsky miracle workers was added to the mansions, the base of which was used as a main passage to the courtyard of the estate. With the establishment in 1589 of the Moscow Patriarchate, the metropolitan court becomes patriarchal. At the first Moscowin 1597, the complex was renovated by Patriach Job of Moscow, the chambers were thoroughly rebuilt, while preserving the composition of housing traditional for Russia. At the same time, another church was erected from the northern part of the courtyard the Three Saints of Moscow: Peter, Alexy and Jonah. It was connected to the chambers by a passage with a passage in the underbelly section. Thus, the structure of the courtyard included three house churches. In 1652-1656, the old buildings, including the church of the Solovetsky Miracle Workers, were demolished, and new three-story chambers and a house church were built in their place, which were consecrated in 1656 in the name of the Apostle Philip and Metropolitan Philip. The roofs and crosses of the temple were covered with copper sheets and gilded. The Cross Chamber was rebuilt; and the area reached 280 meters. The Chambers were not inferior in size and luxury to the royal Terem Palace. The richest patriarchal sacristy was located there. With its impressive area, it did not have a central support, which was an innovation in architecture. Soon, during the trial of Nikon, the Patriarchal Chambers were cited as an example of his pride. The chambers were rebuilt after Nikon. By 1673, one of the arches under the church of the Apostle Philip was laid, and in 1680–1681 it was rebuilt and consecrated in honor of the Twelve Apostles. Here, the patriarchs performed services, except for Holy Holidays, when services were held in the Assumption Cathedral. In 1691 a new floor was built over the chambers, from which the so-called Petrovsky Tent which has survived.
Synodal era
Present
After the Russian Revolution in 1917, in which the building was nationalized the following year, restoration work was carried out, and in 1929 the 17th century iconostasis from the destroyed Cathedral of the Ascension Monastery was transferred to the temple. During the restoration, two passages located under the church were opened. Currently The first permanent exhibition opened in 1967, the modern exhibition has been operating since May 1987.
Features
Currently, the Patriarchal Chambers are a two-three-story building, with a front facade facing south, on the Cathedral Square. The structure of the building includes the five-domed church of the Twelve Apostles with double-glazed windows. Under the church are two travel arches. A gallery on pillars is attached to the northern facade. On the ground floor of the building there were household services and patriarchal orders, on the second floor there were chambers: the main entrance to the Krestovaya, the Canteen, the clerks, the main entrance hall, the refectory, and the church of the Twelve Apostles. On the third floor were the private chambers of the patriarch and the house church of the Apostle Philip. The architectural decoration of the building includes pilasters at the passage arches, keel-shaped pediments of the windows of the first floor, and the arcature belt of the second and third floors. The second floor is separated from the first by a strongly protruding cornice, which is typical for the architecture of the 17th century. The white stone portal of the church on the second floor to the once bypass gallery around the building. Decorations of the building often repeat the details of the design of neighboring buildings of Cathedral Square. On the east side are the apse of the church. The northern facade has more modestly decorated. The arched gallery is decorated with patterned tiles.
