Guinness Record Church in Russia

The temple of St. Andrew the Apostle. Guinness Record Church in Russia
Guinness Record Church in Russia – The temple of St. Andrew the Apostle. In the morning mist

Away from the hustle of big cities, on the water surface of the Vuoksa, stands the temple of St. Andrew the Apostle. The temple is mentioned in Guinness Book of Records as the world’s only church built on a tiny island, the foundation of which serves the monolithic rock protruding from the water. It was built in 2000, by Andrei Rotinov, an architect (passed away by now), according to ancient canons. Nothing like this has been ever built. There is no mass pilgrimage, no pompous ceremonies (though services are held on schedule), and other things like that. This place is more for solitude with nature, to reflect on the events of your life, meditation and quiet conversation with God in a relaxed atmosphere. Around the picturesque banks of the Vuoksa, with rocks protruding from the water, and singing birds … idyll or peace.

Guinness Record Church in Russia
The church at the dawn. Guinness Record Church in Russia

An example for the architectural solution was the oldest church of the Ascension in Kolomna. While in the world, there are other “Churches on the water,” among which the church in Volgograd, Kondopoga, Church of the Assumption in Slovenia and surprisingly similar to Priozersky temple church in the town of Kalyazin on the Volga, but St. Andrew the Apostle church on the island Vuoksa surprises all.

Guinness Record Church in Russia
The lonely church against misty background

The temple is named after one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ – according to church tradition, it was in these places people were baptized in the local waters. Andrew is the patron saint of sailors, so every ship is bound to have Andrew’s flag, and possibly surrounded by water from all sides church refers to this fact. The area of ​​the island is only 100 square meters. To get here is possible by boat or ferry, but in the near future will be built a bridge, way to the dock and the pool for baptizing.

Guinness Record Church in Russia
The Church in the winter landscape

The site is located near the village of Vasilevo of Priozersk District, in the suburb of St. Petersburg. From St. Petersburg the trip takes about 2 hours.

The temple of St. Andrew the Apostle
The temple of St. Andrew the Apostle
The temple of St. Andrew the Apostle
The temple of St. Andrew the Apostle
Winter landscape
Winter landscape
Panoramic view of the church at sunset
Panoramic view of the church at sunset
Guinness Record Church in Russia
The temple of St. Andrew the Apostle. Photographer Michael Vorobyev
Guinness Record Church in Russia
The temple of St. Andrew the Apostle. Photographer Michael Vorobyev
Guinness Record Church in Russia
The temple of St. Andrew the Apostle. Photographer Michael Vorobyev
Guinness Record Church in Russia
The temple of St. Andrew the Apostle. Photographer Michael Vorobyev
Photographer Michael Vorobyev
The temple of St. Andrew the Apostle. Photographer Michael Vorobyev
Pink sunset, panoramic view of the church
Pink sunset, panoramic view of the church
Absolute beauty
Absolute beauty
Autumn landscape
Autumn landscape
Beautiful sunrise
Beautiful sunrise
Beautiful sunset
Beautiful sunset
Church on the rocks
Church on the rocks
Covered with snow church
Covered with snow church
Frozen with ice river
Frozen with ice river
The sign with the name of the Church
The sign with the name of the Church
Wooden architecture, detail
Wooden architecture, detail
Wooden church, detail
Wooden church, detail
Inside the church
Inside the church
Guinness Record Church in Russia
Guinness Record Church in Russia