ANNENKIRCHE

Annenkirche is the first Lutheran church in St. Petersburg of the 18th century. Outside, the church was restored, event posters hang at the entrance, and inside there is a gloomy space with smoked walls after a fire. Here, an active parish with Sunday services and a cultural space with concerts and exhibitions are adjacent. Kirche survived many trials, in 1935 the building was converted into the Spartak cinema. In the 90s of the XX century there was a bar, a casino, a rock club. In 2002, the church building was returned to the church and in the same year there was a fire that destroyed almost everything. The building was destroyed for 6 years under the open sky, the city authorities restored the facade and the roof, but the church still needs restoration inside the church. Now here is the parish of the Church of Ingria. Divine services are held in a small chapel on the second floor, and film screenings are given in the evening, and lectures are given on philosophy and art. Social events are held on the ground floor in a large hall with a stage: concerts, performances, fairs, exhibitions. Holding events does not contradict the ideology of Lutheranism. Divine services are held in the same hall on major Christian holidays. To do this, the altar from the chapel is transferred to the first floor and often the service takes place among the fair flags or scenery of the concert, which took place the day before. On October 27, 2018, Annenkirche turned 239 years old. On this day, a cross was erected on the dome of the church, which had been absent for 80 years. Money for the cross was collected in a month using the crowdfunding program.

Pastor Eugene and parishioners prepare for Confirmation. Confirmation in Lutheranism is a personal awareness of the faith of the faith. During the solemn service, the confirmants put on special white festive clothes.

Chapel of Annenkirche. Rehearsal of musicians.

Visitors to the excursion climb the attic through a spiral staircase, forged from the 18th century.

Poster of the former cinema "Spartak".

Attic of Annenkirche. Pastor Eugene gives a tour of the church.

Science Fest in Annenkirche. The layout of the moon in the center of the hall.

On the main staircase there is a photo session of the wedding couple. The main staircase is a favorite place for photo shoots for both casual visitors to the church and professional photography.

Chapel of Annenkirche. Communion during the service.

Spectators perform a round dance during a concert by Otawa Yo.

Foyer Annenkirche. Exhibits of the exhibition "after the Icon."

Altarnik Igor Pavlov reads a sermon to the homeless. Annenkirche volunteers participate in a program for feeding the homeless, helping the St. Petersburg Salvation Army.

Big hall and stage after the concert.

Pastor Eugene and parishioners prepare for Confirmation.

Children having fun during a concert by Otawa Yo.

Basement Annenkirche. Installation at the festival of contemporary art "Cyberfest."

Pastor Yevgeny Raskatov and Bishop Arri Kugappi during the Christmas service.

The pastor with the congregation is preparing for the service. Children run in the lobby.

Foyer Annenkirche. Visitors before the concert.

Evgeny Raskatov has been a trustee of Annenkirche since the end of 2015. The cross in Annenkirche changes color based on the liturgical calendar. This color also corresponds to the decoration of the temple and the clothes of the liturgy.

During events, the Annenkirche cafe can be erased with hot tea or coffee.

Foyer Annenkirche.

Pastor Eugene before each concert or performance tells the audience about the church. “I was here for the first time at the age of seventeen. There was no church, and there was the Spartak rock club. And then I dreamed of seeing myself as a rock musician, I thought of going on stage and performing, but not in the vestment of a priest, but, for example, with "Partially, this dream came true, but I didn’t become a rock musician."

Annenkirche. Natalia Oreshina documentary and art photographer from St. Petersburg

All in Orchestra Concert. Abbot Eugene says: “We refuse many events, for example discos or where the main idea is shocking. And the rest are very happy that we not only preach the Gospel, but also enrich culturally.”

Chapel of Annenkirche. Church musicians are preparing for a performance.

Parishioners are preparing for Confirmation.

Installation at the festival of contemporary art "Cyberfest".

Pastor Eugene gives a tour of the church. "Our temple is like a man - outwardly we are beautiful, but inside we need restoration."

Chapel of Annenkirche. Parishioners before the service.

Facade of the church of St. Anne.

Pastor Eugene gives confirmants gifts.

Christmas Fair. Kirche plunged into the whirlpool of the holiday fuss. There are musicians on the stage, and on the main staircase the aroma of coffee and rolls.

Pastor Evgeny Raskatov in front of the church in a circle of parishioners and guests.

Cakes with the image of Annenkirche.

Workers on the roof of the church of St. Anne raise the cross to the dome. On October 27, 2018, Annenkirche turned 239 years old. On this day, a cross was erected on the dome of the church, which had been missing for 80 years. Money for the cross was collected in a month using the crowdfunding program.